Photo by Greg Arment on Unsplash

1. Llamas may have helped colonize the ancient world

Although Llamas can be found all over the world -- especially on farms -- they are native to the Andes mountains in South America.

As pack animals, llamas can carry between 50-75 pounds (22.6- 36 Kg). The ancient Inca people may have used llamas to create their irrigation systems, roads and temples 5,000 years ago.

Photo by ideadad on Unsplash

2. Llamas became popular worldwide for sustainable fiber (fibre) production

Wool from llamas is used to create yarn and fabric. The male llama can produce up to eight pounds (3.63 Kg) and the female llama can produce up to five pounds (2.27 Kg) of wool per year.

It is stronger than merino wool from sheep.

Photo by Nick Casale on Unsplash

3. Lamas can run as fast as their predators

Llamas have a main predator: The coyote. Both llamas and coyotes can run at 35 miles per hour (56.33 Kph)

Photo credit: Oscar Sutton on Unsplash

4. Guard llamas can protect livestock

Farmers who keep their llama with sheep say the llamas are great "watchdogs." Or, better yet, "watchllamas."

When a llama sees, hears, or smells a coyote, it becomes alert. Then, it vocalizes with a sound like a rusty hinge, like a fence opening loudly. This tells the sheep to watch out!

If that's not enough, and the coyote comes closer, llamas have been known to charge or even kick coyotes and dogs.

You might want to keep your dogs away from llamas for this reason!

Watchllamas that scare coyotes away reduce the need for farmers to shoot coyotes. As strange as it seems, llamas keep coyotes safe from farmers for this reason.

Photo credit: Paul Keleher from Mass, US, photoshopped by Zanaq

5. If a llama looks like it's about to kiss you, it isn't!

Llamas are related to camels, and they spit when they want you to keep your distance! According to llama farmers, llamas spit for different reasons. Some llamas spit to establish dominance, others only spit when they get medicine injections, and some don't do it at all.

Many videos of llamas spitting all have one thing in common. A person who doesn't know much about llamas sees one at a farm or petting zoo and ends up annoying the llama. The llama purses its lips and leans toward the person. If a person did that, they'd be leaning in for a kiss, but not llamas!

This is a warning from the llama to stand back. If the person ignores the llama, or even worse, tries to kiss the llama, it will spray something disgusting out of its nose. Ew! That usually does the trick, and the person backs away.

Photo credit: Alexas_Fotos on Pixabay

Llama Spitting Video

6. Llamas need good medical care like everyone else

Just like any other animal, a llama can get sick. Some reported illnesses include Cow Pox and Rabies. There are vaccines to prevent some illnesses. Other illnesses need treatment by a qualified veterinarian.

Photo by Jonathan Perez on Unsplash

7. You can buy a llama of your very own for between USD $300 or $5,000. Better yet, adopt one!

Want to buy a llama? You can visit a llama exchange online and in rural areas where agriculture is popular. But, finding a good home for an unwanted llama can make a better life for the animal, and save money for you in the process.

To adopt a llama, do a Google search for "llama rescue" and include your location. If you use the search term llama rescue instead of` llama adoption, it will help you find an actual llama to adopt.

Many websites will allow you to symbolically adopt a llama. These usually turn up in the top spots on Google. Symbolically adopting an animal is a fundraising strategy for wildlife organizations. It might get you a toy llama as a thank you gift, but it won't help you get a real llama.

Photo by Beth Ireland on Unsplash

Research Sources:

National Geographic
Mental Floss
USDA

This has been my entry in the #curiousfacts contest by @river-island.

Thanks for reading! I try to answer all comments.

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