LLAMAS

Those who prefer a quieter animal encounter will appreciate a visit to the peaceful llama paddock.

These distinctive and graceful creatures are native to the Andes Mountains of South America, mainly Peru and Bolivia, though their endearing appearance and calm nature has recently contributed to their widespread popularity around the world.

Llamasare large animals with soft fur in a range of beautiful colours, including white, black, brown, and grey. They have a gentle face with large eyes, long curved ears (shaped a bit like bananas), and a slender neck. Their sturdy legs end in padded feet, ideal for navigating rugged terrain. Llamas have a unique split upper lip and a square-shaped muzzle, making them well-adapted for grazing on their plant-based diet. Llamas are herbivores who source their nourishment from grasses, hay, leaves and shrubs. Access to minerals and fresh water is essential for their health. At White Ridge Farm, our llamas also enjoy their daily serve of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Males or ‘bucks’ typically weigh between 130 to 200 kilograms, while females (known as ‘dams’) are slightly lighter, weighing between 110 to 180 kilograms. A llama’s gestation period lasts approximately eleven and a half months, patiently awaiting the arrival of their little ones. After this time the ‘cria’ is born – a Spanish word meaning ‘baby’. Llamas typically enjoy a life of around 15 to 20 years.

Llamas are known for their calm, gentle, and curious nature. You may hear them gently humming to each other in the paddock. They possess a strong sense of awareness and can be protective and social with other llamas. Sometimes, they might display a bit of stubbornness, but with proper handling and care, they can become friendly and even playful. Llamas don’t bite, but they do have a unique way of expressing agitation - they spit, though it's mostly at each other. They also engage in kicking and neck wrestling when they're feeling a bit feisty.

Given their generally quiet and calm demeanour, llamas have become popular as pets, are used in therapy programs and have starred in the entertainment industry. They’ve also served as pack animals, guard animals, and contributed to eco-friendly weed control in the agricultural industry. But perhaps their best known claim to fame is their beautifully soft fleece, which produced a high-quality fibre known as llama wool. Yarn spun from this fibre is soft and lightweight, yet remarkably warm. The soft undercoat is used for garments, while the coarse outer coat is used for the production of rugs and ropes.