Llama Profile
The llama is a as member of the camelid family and was domesticated around 6,000 years ago. Like the camel, they have very long, strong necks but do not have a hump on their back and are smaller, standing at 1.2m at the shoulder.
Llamas have a very short tail and incredibly thick fur which helps keep them warm in colder climates. Their coat colour is usually shades of brown but can also be black, white or reddish and can be mostly one colour or more patched in appearance. 1
The llama is generally a slender camelid and thought to have evolved from the guanaco (Lama guanicoe), a wild member of the lamoids, a group that also includes the alpaca, the vicuña as well as the llama.
Although once found throughout the Andes mountain range, llamas no longer live in the wild but are found throughout the world and kept as livestock or companion animals. Historically llamas roamed the highland grasslands along the Andes and are perfectly adapted for living at high altitudes and feeding on tough vegetation.
Llamas were originally domesticated to be used as pack animals, carrying huge loads across extremely rugged terrain. Llama meat is still eaten in some countries and they are regularly farmed for their hides and fur. Llama wool is extremely soft and is both hypoallergenic and resistant to stains. It is more durable than sheep wool. 2
Like the wild guanaco, llama only have incisor teeth on the bottom jaw and these do not keep growing throughout their lifetime.
Both the vicuña and the alpaca have teeth that continually grow as their teeth are more easily worn down than those found in llamas. Llamas feed on tough grasses and shrubs by grinding stems and shoots between their sharp incisor teeth and a hard plate on their upper jaw.
As well as grasses, llamas will also feed on lichen, seeds and grains. Llamas have a very specialised digestive system that includes and 3-chambered stomach that allows the maximum amount of nutrients and minerals to be absorbed from nutrient-poor plant matter.
Across their modern day range, llamas are mostly kept for their fur, although some people keep these large animals as pets also. Llamas are often confused with the domestic alpaca, however alpacas are smaller in size and have finer, longer fur.
Alpacas also have shorter faces with smaller ears and are said to be calmer, more timid animals. Unfortunately for the llama, they have a reputation for stubbornness and a propensity to spit, something all camelids do. In fact, when treated well, llamas are gentle and caring pack animals and are even used as guard animals for other livestock, such as alpacas and sheep. 3
Llama Facts Overview
| Habitat: | Grassy highlands |
| Location: | Native to the Andes mountains |
| Lifespan: | Around 15 years |
| Size: | Length up to 1.6m, height 1.2m at shoulder |
| Weight: | Up to 160kg |
| Colour/Appearance: | Camel like appearance but lacking a hump. Long neck, large ears and a shaggy, thick coat that is usually brown in colour |
| Diet: | Grasses, shrubs, lichen, seeds and grains |
| Predators: | Pumas and coyotes |
| Top Speed: | Up to 65km/h |
| Number of Species: | 1 |
| Threats: | Livestock diseases |
| Conservation status: | No special status |
Llamas are highly social animals and prefer living in large herds. The herds are generally guarded and led by an alpha male who aggressively defends his territory from other males. When fighting, males tend to wrestle with their necks with the aim of pushing the other on to his side.
When a llama is pushed over, the other male will attempt to kick and bite the challenger. Male llamas have modified upper canines that are not used for eating but used to bite during fights and are referred to as ‘fighting teeth’. When male llamas are kept together in captivity, they are usually neutered first and sometimes have their ‘fighting teeth’ removed. 4
When males are not fighting over females or for territory, llama social life is generally calm and peaceful. They can be very vocal animals and communicate pleasure or displeasure through various grunts, screams and humming sounds.
Llamas also use body language to establish dominance or when greeting one another and use communal spots as latrines as another means of communication. When angry and to avoid confrontation, a llama will sometimes spit at another, and this is often effective in avoiding full blown fights within the group.
In captivity, as was most likely the case in the wild, male llamas mate with several females during the breeding season. Usually the most dominant male defends this breeding territory from challengers and keeps a close eye on the females in his harem.
Pregnant females give birth to a single offspring, known as a cria. Crias may weigh over 10kg at birth and these young llamas are able to run within an hour of being born. Females will look after their young for around a year before they become fully independent.
As well as their usefulness in terms of their wool and to a lesser extent, their meat, llamas are also valuable grazers that help keep vegetation from over growing. 5
Their ability to digest less desirable plants, allows other species to grow in that area and their hooves are less damaging to the ground than those of cattle or sheep. Llamas are still used as transport pack animals and are able to carry around 60kg in weight across remote, high altitude regions. Llamas are also occasionally used as therapy animals and their superb immune system is being studied by medical researchers.
Interesting Llama Facts
1. There are no wild llamas found in their natural range
Llamas have been domesticated for thousands of years and are almost entirely found only in captivity. 6
2. Llamas are closely related to 3 other species
Their closest relative is the guanaco, followed by the vicuña and alpaca.
3. They can breed with the other lamoid species
All 4 lamoid species can interbreed and sometimes their hybrid offspring are fertile.
4. Male llamas have sharp canines, called ‘fighting teeth’
Specially developed upper teeth are used by males to bite one another during fights.
5. Llamas fur is used to make clothes and blankets
Although llama wool is less preferred to alpaca wool, it is nonetheless more durable and softer than sheep wool.
6. Llama meat is still eaten in countries such as Chile
Llama meat is said to be tough and slightly sweet tasting.
7. Spitting usually only occurs as a last resort
In order to spit, a llama has to regurgitate some stomach acid and they don’t do this unless very seriously provoked.
8. They can run very fast for long distances
Llamas can run over 40kmph for up to 30km.
9. Llamas hum when they are feeling content
They are able to produce a low rumbling hum, usually as a sign that they are happy.
10. They are known as an intelligent animal
Studies have shown that llamas are curious and learn from experience.
11. Llamas are used as guard animals
Llamas are a protective species and are used to guard alpacas and sheep from coyotes and other predators.
12. They can survive at high altitudes with low oxygen levels
Llamas have haemoglobin that can bind more easily with oxygen which is important when living at high altitudes.
Llama Fact-File Summary
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Camelidae |
| Genus: | Lama |
| Species: | glama |
Fact Sources & References
- Rachel Sperling (2021), “Llamas and Alpacas”, Taylor & Francis Online.
- “Llama”, London Zoo.
- “Llama”, Understanding Animal Research.
- Charles Portman “Lama glama llama”, Animal Diversity Web.
- “Llama”, National Geographic.
- “llama”, Britannica.