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Pet or
companion animals – great fun, friends
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Source of
valuable wool
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Packing
"beast of burden" – Can carry 25-30% of its body weight
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Transportation – pull carts, sleighs
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They are
often used for pet therapy - nursing homes, etc.
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Show
competition
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Breeding
livestock – investment income
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Guarding
sheep, goats, and other livestock
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4-H Clubs
- showing, parades, community service events
With their highly efficient three-chambered stomach, llamas cost less to
maintain than the family dog!
They need only hay, water, grain and minerals. Llamas graze and browse. A
bale of hay lasts a llama 7-10 days.
Llamas require little space. One acre is enough for 3 or 4 llamas and a
4-1/2 to 5 foot fence is adequate.
Llamas are considered "domestic livestock" by the Government, not exotic
animals.
Llamas are clean, gentle, and attractive. They are very intelligent and
respond quickly to training.
Llamas are easily transported in trailers, enclosed pick-ups, and even
mini-vans! They will usually lie down during transportation.
Llamas are easy to raise and can be handled by almost anyone including
children. They are trustworthy and their calming, peaceful nature makes
them a joy to be around especially after a stressful day at work!
Llamas can be bred after they turn 20-24 months of age. Their gestation
period is 11-1/2 months and they generally have a single offspring.
Llamas are members of the camel family (camelids). They are a cousin to the
alpaca, vicuna and guanaco.
They weigh anywhere from 250 to 450 pounds as adults. Their lifespan is 20
to 25 years.
The
most common sound a llama makes is a soft humming sound. The sound is so
soothing that in Peru it is called "praying".
There is little odor to a llama and their manure is almost odor free as
well. Because it is low in nitrogen, it makes for a great fertilizer.
Llamas are hardy and adaptable to most climates, altitudes and conditions.
Llamas are "environmentally friendly" animals. Their feet, comprised of
soft pads with two toenails, impact the environment less than the boots of
an average hiker.
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