By
ANI...on assignment from Wild Writings Press...Planet Earth
Believe I'll call Lou ~ a wild beast enthusiast
whose knowledge, so amazing, is 'par to-none.'
She's been to Bolivia, Peru and Chile where inhabit these
'camelids'.
When in South America several years ago,
we did see Llamas, these gentle beings,
roaming the meadows, pastures and forest edges.
The first local Llama I saw was in Hamilton's Christmas in Gore Park.
Displaying winter animals ~ there were reindeer, alpacas and a
llama.
In Ontario, two places I recommend where llamas can be seen.
Serendepity
Farm: Alpacas and Llamas
whose mission is to raise healthy, happy breeds.
(for quality fibre and maintaining blood lines).
Located in Lanark Highlands ~ in Ottawa's vicinity.
Puddicombe
Farms, Stoney Creek, on
Hamilton's Regional 8,
this working Alpaca farm is great for families, grandparents and
kids.
It's a petting zoo and a train station where can ride.
For more than 20 years, Puddicombe Estate Farms & Winery
has offered baked products ~ and activities for all.
Christmas 2018
The
Llama's
face, this
holiday season:
sweaters galore and pyjamas with Llama logos;;
coffee mugs, oil paintings, Christmas ornaments ~
even Llama notebooks in which to write.
Llamas ~ it's the theme for Christmas 2018.
“Llamas
and Alpacas boost income for farmers in Central and South America
providing
work that can be sold or made into blankets, clothes and more,”
said Lou when she arrived.
“Their
hooves are especially gentle on Environment,” she added,
“Another
big plus for farmers there ~ and in Ontario!”
LLA,
about
his lovable Llamas, relayed history and lifestyle.
“In
Andean culture, they were used as meat and pack animals.
These
South American 'camelids'
are
relatives of Vicunas
and Guanacos
living mostly on the continent's west side
in the Andes Mountains ~ mainly Bolivia and Peru.
Guanacos and Vicunas live 'in the wild' ;
Alpacas and Llamas exist only as domesticated animals.”
“The
height of a full-size Llama (like me),” said LLA, “ is 5 ft. 6 to
5 ft. 9
At
birth, a baby Llama (called a cria)
weighs 20 to 31 pounds.
We Llamas, typically live 15 to 25 years.
Very 'social' we live with other llamas as a herd.
The wool produced by Llamas is very soft ~ and lanolin-free.”
MA
inserts
that 'we Llamas are intelligent and can learn simple tasks.
When wearing a 'pack' we carry about 30% of our body weight
for 5 to 8 miles. “
And asking MA about appearance and colour, she replied:
“The
ears are rather long and known as 'banana-shape'.
We have no dorsal hump and our tails are short.
Our fibre is long, woolly and soft.
Our coat is often white~ yet can be brown or pie-bald...even grey or
black.
The
Guanaco
(now
endangered)
and
vicuna
being
wild, are light brown
and passing to white below.
“The
vicuna,
being
smaller, also live in herds
on the bleak mountain range, bordering a snowy region
amid precipes of rocks throughout Peru and southern Ecuador.
Alpacas are descended from wild Vicunan acncestors
while the domesticated Llamas have descended from the wild Guanaco
ancestors.”
Reproduction
~ as told to me by MA;
“Through
the act of 'mating' the female releases an egg
(often fertilized on the first attempt.)
Llama males and females (like humans) mature sexually at different
rates.
Males
mate with females in a kush
(a
lying down position).
They mate for 20 to 45 minutes; and gestation about 350 days.
Unable to lick their babies when born (due to tongue-shortness),
we mothers, nuzzle and hum to our crias.
While standing to give birth, the herd's females gather around
in attempts to protect 'gainst the male Llamas and potential
predators.
(Llamas, well-socialized and trained to 'halter and lead' after
weaning, are very friendly and pleasant. Llamas, bottle-fed or
over-socialized as youth, will become extremely difficult to handle
when they will begin to treat humans as they treat each other ~ which
is characterized by Bouts of Spitting, Kicking and Neck
Wrestling.When correctly reared, Llamas Spitting at a Human is a rare
thing!)
Asking MA about Hierarchy...this is her reply:
“Llamas
can always move up or down in the 'social ladder'
by picking small fights ~ which is usually done between males
to
see which will become dominate.
They live as family, taking care of each other.
When threatened, a warning 'bray' is sent out ~ all others becoming
alert!
As a form of friendly communication, they often 'hum' to each other.”
A motherly Llama confided in MA:
"I saw a kid ~ napping today, but decided not to awaken him."
Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...July 3, 2018
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