DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
It is found in South America only in the domesticated form. Llamas’ native range is the Andes Mountains of South America, primarily Peru and Bolivia.
BEHAVIOUR
A lama is a very social animal that lives in herds. Sometimes they spit at each other in order to discipline lower llamas. The llama’s social position in the herd is not permanent. There are fights between members, usually among males, for a more dominant status. Even though the social structure is changing, they live like a family, caring for each other.
DIET
The diet consists of grasses, leaves of shrubs and trees.
REPRODUCTION
Llama is a polygynous species. Males mate with multiple females in their herd. The female experiences induced ovulation, releasing an egg within 24-36 hours after mating. Gestation lasts about eleven months, at which time one offspring, called a cria, is born. Young sucks mum’s milk for up to 5 months and stays with her for up to a year. Life expectancy is 15 years.
GOOD TO KNOW
The llama’s blood contains a high amount of hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen from the lungs throughout the body, which enables them to survive at high elevation with low levels of oxygen.
- Latin name: Lama glama
- IUCN –Red List – NE – not evaluated
