Llamas | Alpacas

There are four South American Camelids. The llama is the largest, guanaco is second largest and the alpaca and vicuna are smaller of the camelids.

LLAMAS

Quick Facts:

Lifespan: 15 to 29 years
Adult Weight: 250 to 450 pounds
Newborn Weight: 20 to 35 pounds
Height at shoulders: 36 to 47 inches
Height at head: 5 to 6 1/2 feet
Gestation Length: 331 to 359 days

Color
Brown, black, white, grey, roan, paints, appaloosas.

Wool
Llamas and alpacas have a dry wool which does not have lanolin. It is collected by shearing or brushing.

Reproduction
Llamas and alpacas are induced ovulators and usually only have one cria per pregnancy. Crias (baby llamas and alpacas) are weaned between 4 and 6 months of age. Females are bred for the first time around 24 months of age. Males begin breeding between 24 and 36 months of age.

What are llamas used for?
Llamas can be used for many things including packing, cart driving, guarding sheep, pets, fiber (wool), showing, animal assisted therapy, and more.

Llamas have been recently been used to guard animals. Most guard llamas are geldings but females may also be used. geldings are used as guard animals because the females are generally used for breeding and generally have a higher dollar value. Llamas guard sheep, geese, ducks, deer, foals, alpacas and cattle.

Do llamas spit?
Spitting is used by llamas to settle arguments, establish dominance and pecking order, tell males that females are pregnant, discipline crias and express fear or discomfort.

What sounds do they make?
Compared to many other livestock, llamas are very quiet animals. Humming is their primary means of vocal expression. Male llamas will orgle when aroused or while breeding a female. If llamas feel threatened or startled by something which concerns them, they will make an alarm call. It is a loud, higher pitched, rhythmic sound.

How much land do I need to own llamas?
You can have 2 to 4 llamas can be placed on one acre of land.
You need to provide shelter, this can be a 3 sided shelter to a full size barn. Llamas are herd animals and need a companion to be happy.

ALPACAS

Quick Facts:

Lifespan 15 to 25 years
Adult Weight: 100 to 115 pounds
Newborn Weight: 15 to 19 pounds
Height at shoulders: about 36 inches
Height at head: 4 1/2 to 5 feet
Gestation Length: about 335 days

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