Background Information on Llama Packing
Llamas and camels are in the same family, the camelids. The four species of camelids that occur in South America are collectively called lamas (with one "l"). These four species are the llama, the alpaca, the vicuna and the guanaco. Their natural range is in the Andes Mountains, where they are all adapted to high mountain climates.
Outside of South America, the basic biology of llamas is not widely known or understood. The following information is a useful summary taken from "The Camelid: An all-purpose animal", Volume 1 - Proceedings of the Khartoum Workshop on Camels, December 1979; edited by Ross Cockrill, published by the Scandinavian Institute of African Studies, 1984.
Lamas sleep and defecate in well-defined areas, which they do not graze.
Lamas have well-defined areas for taking dust-baths that help them maintain their coats and control parasites.
Lamas ruminate primarily in the afternoon and early evening.
Lamas have a greeting call known as a "challido".
Lamas have a specialized cushioned foot pad that allows them to travel over sandy and rough terrain with ease and with little damage to the soil.
Lamas have a bifid upper lip. Their lower incisors grow continuously. This allows them to graze on tough lignous pasturage.
Lamas have a thick coat of fur that provides protection against the cold of high altitudes. Their coat colors provide camoflage from their natural predators, such as the puma.
Lamas are social animals. Wild llamas live in family groups consisting of a male and a harem of females, or as a group of males (called a "tropilla").
A Llama has cushion foot pads for mountain travel without soil disturbance.
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Our mountain llamas were bred and trained to hike in the highest mountains.
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Llamas: Specific characteristics of the true llama
Llamas have been domesticated for use as pack animals for over 5,000 years.
Llamas were bred principally as beasts of burden, where they are used in caravans.
Llamas are capable of enduring long-distance travel with loads of up to 50 kg (110 pounds).
Alpacas
Alpacas produce an excellent wool of unequaled quality. Because of this, breeding has given them an attractive appearance that has led to their use as show animals in the United States.
