About Llamas

WHY OWN A LLAMA? Llamas are kind, gentle and among the easiest of livestock to care for. They are sensitive to children and if treated properly will not spit at humans. They are extremely intelligent, learning in just a few repetitions. They make excellent companions, can be easily backpack trained and can even learn to pull a cart. Some llamas may be used as guardian animals for sheep, goats, etc.

Other uses? Simply use your imagination. Llamas have been used as jogging companions and, due to their clean habits, have even been used as caddies on a golf course!

LLAMA REQUIREMENTS: Although llamas come from the harsh environment of the Andes mountains of South America, their needs are simple and in most cases inexpensive. Llamas will need a large enough area to forage upon, such as a grassy, shaded pasture. Having a suitable area to forage upon will satisfy both their physical and emotional needs. Llamas need grass in the warm months and hay in the winter, or a pre-packaged llama blend may be purchased. Compared to other livestock llamas are light eaters and, being of the camelid family, drink little. They will need shelter for protection against snow, heavy rain and the hot sun. Usually a 3-sided shed will do nicely. Provide them with a bed of straw in the colder months and a means of keeping cool in the hotter months and they will do fine. Fans, sprinklers, and creeks are but a few of the ways of cooling llamas off. Llamas can, and in the southern states should, be sheared once a year. Their fiber can be used in a variety of ways. In most parts of the U.S. you will need to supplement your llama's diet with free-choice minerals containing Selenium. Basic inoculations will also be needed.

Last updated 03/18/2008

Contact the webmaster