Packing

South American Indians have selectively bred llamas as beasts of burden for over 5500 years. Their agility, calm temperament, willingness and uncomplaining work ethic make them pleasurable hiking companions. A fit, well-trained llama can carry 25% of his body weight all day, consuming 1-2 pounds of grain and browse. Transportation to the trailhead is done in a van, pickup with high cap, or trailer. Besides camping gear, llamas carry trail maintenance equipment, large game animals, trash and debris, or small (under 35 pounds) tired hikers. The llama’s gentle sensitive nature is reassuring to a special needs hiker. The padded foot of a pack llama is protective to delicate mountain terrain.

Males, gelded or intact, are most often used for trekking; however females are equally well suited to trail use. Evaluation of a llama for pack use (considering age, attitude, and structural soundness), then proper training and conditioning will precede a successful pack trip. Young animals learn readily from experienced pack llamas. Fitted and perfectly balanced packsaddles are essential. There is an excellent selection of specialized packing equipment available.

Llamas in the Public: Education and Entertainment

A llama who is accustomed to “public appearances” can become a farm’s most valuable asset. Once an animal is chosen for his or her “ambassadorial” qualities, training begins - to lead, load, be petted with supervision, and to calmly tolerate various sounds, obstacles and footings. Then you are off! Schools, camps, Scouts, YMCA, 4-H, Elderhostel, and special education settings are just a few of the places to visit. People of all ages have learned about llamas at agricultural fairs, parades, church functions, environmental workshops, extension service meetings, as well as through public TV and radio fundraisers. There’s a natural attraction many people feel when they first are greeted by this curious animal with the graceful bearing. An experienced human owner/PR llama pair can both thrill and educate their fascinated audience, leaving a positive lasting impression as well.

Therapeutic Uses

Because llamas are quiet, nearly odorless, have hypoallergenic fiber and tend to be naturally “house trained”, an indoor setting for their activities is common. Residents of nursing homes, senior centers, hospitals, hospice, psychiatric centers, correctional and rehab facilities have all benefited from llama visits.

Physically handicapped or head injured youngsters are discovering the joys of independence and free movement in a llama riding and driving program being offered in New England. Some llamas in Maine have even learned “sign language” in order to take walks with several multiply impaired women. It is the llamas’ gentle curiosity and unperturbed manner that make them effective emotional therapy animals.

Guard Animals

Llamas have received national publicity for their natural predator control ability. This is the non-kill choice for increasing numbers of sheep breeders from Idaho to West Virginia. Once a gelded male goes “on duty” with his flock, predation drops to zero. Fearless curiosity and protectiveness make the right llama a perfect guard.

Fiber

Llama fiber can be spun, knitted, woven or felted, alone or in combination with other fibers for imaginative blends. Llamas are two coated, i.e. the outer coarse coat protects the finer undercoat from moisture and debris. The individual fiber strand is partially hollow, making it very light and warm. Llama fleece has almost no lanolin making it easy to clean and soft to the touch. Length varies from 2 to 16 inches; it is usually sheared off once a year (essential for the animal’s comfort) but can be harvested by brushing as well. The natural colors are white, black, brown, silver, golden, gray and red, with as many patterns to the colors as horses.

Llama in Business

It’s safe to say all llama owners enjoy their animals as companions. In addition, a growing number of full or part-time businesses are evolving out of this association with llamas. Commercial packing operations and small or large breeding farms are most frequently seen. Llamas also lend themselves to innovative start-ups. As golf caddies, cart-pulling escorts, source of commercial fertilizer, or as a gift and poem delivery service vehicle, llamas rise to the occasion with style. There are many other ways llamas are adding fun, and profit, to their owners’ lives.

Breeding

Well cared for, fit mama llamas can have a long reproductive life, starting at about two years old. Induced ovulators, they can be bred at any time of the year. Gestation is 11-12 months. Usually a single “cria” is born, during daylight hours, and immediately adopted and protected by the herd. Healthy females can be bred back in 14-21 days. Llamas are considered domestic livestock in most states. The business of breeding is totally acceptable to the IRS. Sales of offspring (weaning no earlier than 6 months), takes place at the farm, at auctions and public sales, or through the extensive advertising network provided by local and national publications.