Small Ruminant and Camelid Mobile Veterinary Services

Lama Information

South American Camelids

Lama is the term used to refer to South American camelids, including llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicunas. Although primarily used for show and recreation in North America, llamas make great companion pets. These animals differ from true ruminants in many ways, and individuals need a good understanding of the llama to work with these animals more effectively.

There are 4 species of camelids native to the South American continent. Llamas (Lama glama) and Alpacas (Lama pacos) are domesticated species. The Guanaco (Lama guanicoe) and the Vicuna (Vicugna vicugna) are wild species. Llamas come in many colors and wool types; the wool of all four species can be spun but the wool of the llama is the least desirable. The llama is a domestic animal, primarily developed as a beast of burden. The alpaca is also a domestic animal but guanacos and vicunas are not domesticated and exportation of both species has been tightly controlled until recently. Vicunas are currently on the endangered list due to heavy hunting for their fine fiber, which is worth more on the world market than silk.

Ruminants and camelids are all in the Order Artiodactyla (even-toed hoof stock). Camelids belong to the Suborder Tylopoda. Ruminants belong to the Suborder Ruminantia, which includes cattle, deer, sheep, goats, antelope and gazelles. How do you differentiate between a llama and an alpaca? Size (alpacas are smaller and finer featured); cost (alpacas were once tremendously overpriced); quality, thickness, and crimp of wool; and shape and size of ears (llamas wear bananas!).

Curved ears were once very popular. Now straight ears are well accepted. Attempts are being made to continuously improve the wool quality in llamas. Most American llamas are related to a small band of less than 50 that were imported in the 20s or 30s and may not have been of superior wool quality. Now that South American countries have relaxed restrictions on exportation of llamas to the US, Peruvian, Chilean, and Bolivian llamas are expensive and prestigious. These recent imports appear to be greatly improving the quality of American llama wool. Heavy wooled llamas are those that have wool on the ears and below the hocks. Crimped wool is highly desirable as it stretches well after it is woven and it spins well.

Llamas ingest forage, regurgitate and rechew (i.e. ruminate); however, they are not ruminants. The camelids possess a 3-compartmented stomach, easily remembered as C-1, C-2, C-3. To date there are approximately 120,000 llamas and about 10,000 alpacas in North America. When it comes to working with llamas, the slow and easy approach usually works best. If the animal's first experience with clinical personnel is positive, it will go a long way in acceptance for future treatments. Understanding the llama's body language and responses to procedures are key to success in handling them. A happy hum and a nose sniff are the ultimate signs of gratitude.