Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

There are many myths and a lot of misinformation about llamas. Many folks only have the memories of a school field trip where one of the kids teasing the llamas got blasted with spit.

We try to answer most of the common misconceptions about llamas and show them as we know them...

QUESTION: I’ve heard Llamas spit!
ANSWER: Llamas do spit ... at each other to establish dominance at feeding time and to maintain the herd pecking order. Pregnant female llamas spit at breeding males to tell them to "buzz off'. Llamas spit as one of their few forms of self-defense. Snakes and dogs bite, cats scratch and skunks spray in self-defense. Llama spit semi-digested hay, not nearly as bad as bites, scratches or skunk spray. When llamas spit at humans it is usually a last resort. They are telling the human to stop doing whatever they are doing to the llama.

QUESTION: Folks say that Llamas are exotic animals, like ostriches and emus.
ANSWER: Llamas are Camelids, cousins to Camels and Alpacas. Llamas are classified as livestock in California and many other states. In South America llamas are used for pack transportation and alpacas are fiber producers. Poor economic conditions and scarce resources necessitate that the South Americans also use llamas and alpacas for meat. In the USA we don’t eat our pets or companion animals. (Interestingly, the Incan word for llama meat has led to the Spanish and English word “jerky.”)

QUESTION: Don’t just the rich or eccentric own Llamas for amusement?
ANSWER: There are over 100,000 llamas in the country owned by teachers, doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters, farmers, truck drivers, computer experts, insurance salespersons, college students, average families, and the young and old. Llamas have many uses. They are wonderful pets, companions, great 4H project animals, excellent packers for outdoor enthusiast and hunters, fine fiber producers for spinners and weavers, organic lawnmowers for vegetation control, compost producers for gardeners, reliable guardians for sheep and goats, cart pullers and competition show animals. Regardless of their function, llamas are fantastic just for loving.

QUESTION: I know that Llamas are too expensive to purchase as a pet. A registered dog is cheaper.
ANSWER: Llama prices vary depending on animal age, bloodlines, sex, training and reproductive use. Females are generally more expensive than males. High quality breeding stock is more expensive than a pet non-breeder. Pet gelded male prices start around $400. Breeding quality animals start around $1,000 for males and $1,500 for young females depending on bloodlines and training. Comparatively registered dog prices can vary from $400 to the thousands.

QUESTION: I’ve seen ads selling llamas for $200 or less in the newspaper. Couldn’t I breed these and sell the babies and make money?
ANSWER: Yes, you’ll occasionally see llamas for sale at bargain basement prices. But beware, you really do get what you pay for! These cheap llamas may be someone else’s problem and can bring you nothing but disappointment. Llamas MUST BE REGISTERED (with the International LAMA Registry) to be bred, shown, or have any sale value for themselves or their offspring. Often cheap sale llamas are not registered and not even minimally halter or lead trained. Untrained animals can be difficult to manage and could accidentally injure someone in their panic to get away from you.

QUESTION: I can't raise llamas, I have no livestock experience.
ANSWER: Llamas are very easy keepers, but all new owners need education in the basics of general llama management, health care and training. The two best ways of obtaining these essentials is to purchase llamas from reputable breeders and to join a llama organization. Even the "greenest city slicker" can become a competent and knowledgeable llama owner in a short time with the support of other llama owners, breeders and organizations like LANA and CAL-ILA (sponsor of the llama show at the California State Fair).

QUESTION: I hear llamas need big fancy ranch set-ups.
ANSWER: Actually, two llamas can live comfortably on as little as ¼ acre. The living set up is simple. They need 4 to 5 foot high non-barbed wire fencing (depending on the mix of females and intact males), a fresh water source and shelter from wind, rain and snow and shade from the summer heat. A simple 3-sided shelter or roofed pole structure may be adequate. Llamas graze on pasture grass. Grass hay is used for additional feed if there is inadequate pasture for grazing. Most llamas are given supplements of llama pellets and selenium minerals. Work with your local veterinarian to develop an individualized feeding regiment for your llama.

QUESTION: I’ve heard that Llamas are too expensive to feed and care for.
ANSWER: Llamas are cheaper to feed than a horse or a large dog. Grass hay is $7.50 to $10 per bale. A horse will eat a bale of hay in 3 days; a llama will eat the same bale in 9 days. A 40-lb bag of llama pellets is around $8 to $10. Most llamas are fed a cup of pellets or less daily. Routine care for healthy, non-breeding llamas consist of yearly shots, worming, occasional toenail clipping and simple body shearing in the spring for heat control.

QUESTION: I’ve been told that it's best to buy a very young baby, bottle-feed it and bond it to humans.
ANSWER: ABSOLUTELY NOT! This is a guarantee for tragedy for all involved. Baby llamas need to stay with mom for up to 6 months for nutrition and to learn normal llama socialization. Babies that bond with humans do not develop normal behaviors or a clear concept of the difference between llamas and humans. While it’s cute to have a baby run to you, jump, frolic and play like a puppy when it is small, that same llama will one day be 300+lbs and won’t understand why it can't jump up and play with you like it did as a baby. This is especially serious in male llamas as they mature. You, the long time object of affection, now become a breeding prospect. The sweet, loving, over socialized, fluffy baby boy will become a dangerous, unpredictable-breeding machine. This perilous and inappropriate behavior is virtually uncorrectable. The only solution is to destroy the llama. Because of inappropriate human bonding your llama will be condemned to die. BABY LLAMAS NEED TO BE RAISED AND SOCIALIZED BY THEIR MOMS, humans come later!

QUESTION: They say the long wool llama breed is better to have.
ANSWER: Unlike dogs, horses, goats, etc., llamas have no "breed" distinction. A llama is a llama. Wool types and country of origin distinguish llamas. Wool classifications are short, medium and long wool. Llama countries of origin distinctions are North American, Canadian, Bolivian, Chilean, and Peruvian. Out-cross is a term for llamas with bloodlines from another country other than USA. Llamas born in the USA are considered "out-crosses" if they were bred from parents from another country. Bloodlines, temperament, training and most importantly confirmation are measures of "value" in llamas. The most important thing to remember in valuing llamas is appropriately matching your end purpose or goals with the right llama.

QUESTION: I want to buy just ONE.
ANSWER: Llamas are herd animals and MUST NOT BE KEPT AS A SINGLE ANIMAL. It’s similar to being the only human on Mars. Sometimes llamas do well with sheep or goats as companions.

QUESTION: I can't have llamas because I don't have a horse trailer or a truck to pull it with.
ANSWER: Actually many people with llamas don't transport their llamas in trailers. Llamas are very smart animals and can be taught to load and travel in a van or pickup truck bed with stock side panels or even a Suburban.

Some simple tips for smart llama purchases:

Know what your plans are for llamas and buy the type of animals that match your plans.
Only buy registered llamas; make sure you get the ILR registration as part of the sales agreement.
Only buy llamas that have had training (a minimum of halter and lead training). Make sure you can catch, halter, lead and handle them.
Buy llamas from reputable breeders who will provide follow up support.