Living with Llamas

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Llamas are not common in Western Australia, and they are NOT the same as the more common alpaca. They are bigger, heavier, and far more people orientated, and therefore far more fun.



I bred llamas as pets, to go on walks with, for their personalities and their fine wool. You can spin and knit their fleece into beautiful garments.

Llamas are, for the most part, quirky, curious animals and although they need little care, they need a few acres, and are happiest having at least another one, as they are very social animals.

They have many uses apart from being wonderful pets, and one of them is that they can be trained to be inside, and visit the sick.



You can also go hiking with them, and they will carry the load.



They will pull a cart, which is another thing that is quite easy to teach these graceful animals, as long as you pick one that has the right nature for this.



They require little in the way of extra food if you have enough grass, however it is a good idea to give them some grains so they get all the necessary vitamins needed to keep healthy. But beware, they also eat several trees, and absolutely love mulberries and their leaves!

They need shearing usually once a year even though you can brush them regularly.







Baby llamas are known as cria, and raising a cria from birth can be a very rewarding experience, full of fun, hiccups, falls and delightful company.



They are very good with most other animals and their curiosity can often lead to trouble - e.g. if they try to "kiss" a snake. They are also excellent with children, and like to "kiss" strangers.



They give a warning sound that is a bit like a horse neighing when there is a predator around. This in turn, alerts the whole herd. To hear the sound, watch this complete video:



They are often used as sheep guards, as they have a natural ability to chase down foxes. Losses on farms with llamas as guards are generally zero and this is the one time when only one llama is best as they will concentrate solely on their flock and make sure no harm comes to them.

With very few health problems, and giving birth generally only in the morning, they are one of the most exciting, friendly and delightful large pets to own.

You are unable to predict colours as you can get a plain black one from a white mother and a brown father, and they are induced ovulators which means you can mate them whenever you want. Mating is usually done so that the cria is born in between very hot, and very cold weather.

As soon as the female is mated, she ovulates and, to tell if she is pregnant, you introduce the male back to her, and if she spits at him, it is generally a fair indication that she is pregnant!



The years that I spent with these regal animals were some of my happiest, having the joy of births, raising the babies, going on some great hikes with the llamas carrying the food, and just walking round the streets with them.

If you are interested in buying llamas, there is a wonderful place you can do this at Burnbrook Llamas , in Gidgegannup. They are very helpful and a wealth of knowledge on animals.

#animals_wildlife
#fun_things_to_do
#pets
#quirky
#unusual_things_to_do
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