Dispelling Common Myths About Llamas 

Llamas often get a bad reputation, sometimes justly deserved. But if a llama is handled and trained correctly, he can be the cute, cuddly companion that his looks suggest.

 

Some of the unflattering adjectives that I have heard used to describe llamas are: taciturn, aloof, cold, reserved, unfriendly, unapproachable, standoffish, spitty…... Some owners caution against looking the llama directly in the eye, as llamas perceive a hard stare as a threatening gesture. We have never sensed that eye contact was an issue with any of our llamas. We often hear people say that llamas don’t like to be cuddled, petted, don’t want their heads touched, or their feet handled, are mistrusting  of strangers,  etc…

A lot of that is true. By nature llamas are a wary animal. In the wild, in their native South American Andes Mountains, they are prey, their primary predator being the mountain lion. Their survival depends on their keen instincts to protect their eyes and ears (their early detection system) and their feet and legs (their get-away cars).  Llamas lack any offensive protection systems. They don’t have horns, antlers, hooves, or even top front teeth. So they rely on their keen senses, quick response, and speed to protect them from danger. Once we understand what makes a llama tick, we can help him overcome his natural fears and make him feel comfortable and safe around people.

Even though our llamas may not come begging for a hug around the neck, they have been conditioned to willingly and patiently accept our affections. Those of us who live with well-behaved llamas know just how extraordinary these gentle animals can be, with the right training. 

A lot of llama trekking outfitters, you will find, have llamas that are very well trained to lead and carry the packs, but they just don't seem to warm up to their handlers, sidestepping away to avoid being touched. Here at Twin Creeks Llamas, we take pride in the fact that our llamas are very approachable, and will often initiate a llama snuffle...(face to face greeting with a soft exchange of breath). One of our boys, Coffee Bean, will even give kisses on command

 

During our years of llama trekking, a typical day with Twin Creeks Llamas would begin with an hour in the barn where we would discuss the most common questions that people have about llamas: What are llamas and where did they come from? Why do they do the things they do? How do you read their body language, what are those ears saying? Yes, they do spit, but when and why? What is the proper way to touch a llama? As you can see, there is a lot to learn before taking the llamas on a hike. First we taught everyone how to properly halter and saddle a llama and each person got to halter and saddle the llama of their choosing. And even when little people needed a little assistance, our llamas were always very gentle and accommodating.

By the end of the day, our clients had developed a strong bond with their llama and recognized and appreciated the unique personality of each of our charming boys. Many people came back yearly to hike with their favorite llama.

 

 

 

Just What Can you do with a Llama?

One of the questions we often get asked is, “Just what do you do with a llama?”
Llamas are wonderfully versatile animals and there are lots of things that people enjoy doing with them.

1. Packing. After all, this is what they were bred to do for thousands of years in South America. The greatest advantage of llamas as packers is their low impact on the environment. Their padded feet do less damage to the trail than people in hiking shoes. They are much smaller than horses or mules with the average pack llama weighing between 300 and 400 pounds. Llamas require much less to drink than most pack stock. Since they are members of the camel family, they are able to obtain much of their water from the foods they eat.

        Llamas on the trail

2. Shows. There are llama shows all around the nation where llamas are judged on their fiber and conformation and they can compete in a variety of agility and obstacle courses.

        Backing through hay bale maze

3. Parades. Who doesn’t love a parade, and everyone loves to see llamas in a parade. We have walked with ours in several Christmas Parades. We dress them up in reindeer antlers and tinsel and they are the hit of the day. They have been real troopers and haven’t been spooked by the High School Bands, fire engines, horses, or dogs. AND I have never had to clean up poop behind them.

       Christmas Parade

4. Fiber. One of the most prized byproducts of llamas is their fiber. Their fiber can be used to make anything that you can make out of sheep wool. Plus llama hair does not have lanolin and comes in a variety of natural colors.

We shear our llamas once a year, usually in April or May, when the temperatures are above freezing and the highs are in the 70’s. By the time winter comes around again, their coats are grown out enough to keep them warm. Shearing the llamas is an absolute necessity. Heat stress is a major killer for llamas, especially with the heat and humidity in Virginia.

        Before and After Shearing

5. Pets. Although we pack with our llamas as a business, they are first and foremost our pets and companions. The time we spend with them brushing and grooming, feeding them, and even cleaning up poop, is very relaxing and enjoyable. We talk with them and watch as they interact with each other. Llamas can be very entertaining and affectionate in their own way.

         Oooo! The water tickles my tongue.

6. Therapy animals. Llamas are often taken to nursing homes and children’s hospitals to brighten the day and bring a smile. Llamas are intuitive and seem to sense the needs of others. They are very calm and gentle animals.

 

 

 

 

       Coffee Bean visiting a nursing home 

7. Guardians. Llamas make good livestock guards. They prefer to be with their own species, but they will adopt and bond with their new herd mates, be it sheep, alpacas, or cows. They are very protective against coyotes, wild dogs, and other predators.

8. Golfing. Believe it or not, there are golf courses that use llamas as caddies. I’m not much of a golfer myself, but I could get into the game if I could walk the course with a llama.

9. Carting. Llamas can also be trained to pull a cart. They can be used singly or as a team. I expect that it would take a good bit of time and patience to master this skill, but I can only imagine the attention that you would get driving your llama through the park.

10. Walking and jogging. Sometimes I want a change of pace from walking the dogs. I halter one of the llamas and take a relaxing walk around the neighborhood. The llamas are very curious and attentive, and it is entertaining just to watch them as they observe the interesting things along the way.

       Taking a stroll with Santiago

So you see, llamas can be much more than just a pasture ornament, though that is one of the greatest pleasures that they give to me. There is no better feeling than to gaze down on the fields, no matter the season, and watch the llamas as they bask in the sun, roll in the dust, munch grass, hike through the snow, or pronk around the fence in expression of the sheer joy of life.