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| SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION |
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| COMMON
NAME: |
llama |
| KINGDOM: |
Animalia |
| PHYLUM: |
Chordata |
| CLASS: |
Mammalia |
| ORDER: |
Artiodactyla |
| FAMILY: |
Camelidae |
| GENUS
SPECIES: |
Lama
(Peruvian name for animals in the camel family)
glama (name given by Linnaeus, corruption
of llama) |
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| DESCRIPTION: |
The
llama is a tall horse-shaped animal with a woolly
coat of varying shades |
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| SIZE: |
Approximately
150-180 cm (5-6 ft.) |
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| WEIGHT: |
135-202.5
kg (300-450 lbs.) |
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| DIET: |
Grazer and browser; diet includes grasses and leaves |
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| GESTATION: |
Gestation
lasts approximately 350 days; usually one offspring |
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| SEXUAL
MATURITY: |
About
2 years |
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| LIFE
SPAN: |
Up
to 20 years |
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| RANGE: |
Native
to western South America, mostly Bolivia, Chile,
and Peru |
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| HABITAT: |
Inhabits
mountain terrain; also domesticated in many areas |
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| POPULATION: |
GLOBAL |
Unknown |
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| STATUS: |
IUCN |
Not
listed |
| CITES |
Not
listed |
| USFWS |
Not
listed |
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| 1. |
Fossil footprints found in California indicate that
llamas, relatives of camels, originated in North
America. It is believed that the animals that moved
north and crossed the Bering land bridge evolved
into camels, while the ones that migrated to the
south became the "lama" family. |
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| 2. |
Llamas make a variety of sounds. The most common
sound is a humming noise. A female will hum to her
cria (offspring). Males orgle, which sounds like
a gurgle, during breeding. If a couple of males
decide to have a fight, they will start screaming
at each other. If a llama perceives danger, it sends
an alarm call, which warns the rest of the herd. |
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| 3. |
In the wild, a male will find a high vantage point
to watch over his herd of females and if he spots
danger, will start alarm calling. Moments later
every male in the vicinity will be alarm calling. |
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| 4. |
The
idea that llamas spit is true. Llamas usually spit
to settle an argument over food or to decide which
is the dominant llama. A female will also spit at
a male to tell him to get lost. They do not normally
spit at humans unless they are provoked. Their body
language will warn other llamas; flattened ears
are a signal to back off and are usually sufficient.
The next threat may be a spitting sound, but using
only air. |
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Also known as the "new world camel", llamas
were domesticated in the early 1500s and are valuable
work animals.
They, like all camelids, differ from other mammals
in that their red blood corpuscles are oval instead
of round. This adaptation allows them to take in
more oxygen, making them well suited to life at
high altitudes.
Their coat is used to make cloth and other material
goods.
In the wilds of South America, pumas (or mountain
lions) are llamas' only natural predator. In North
America, cougars and bears have been known to take
llamas.
In South America, thousands are used for meat each
year. |
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|
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Hoffman, C. and I. Asmus. Caring for Llamas and
Alpacas. Rocky Mountain Llama and Alpaca Assoc.
Pioneer Impressions, CO. 1989. |
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Nowak, R. M. Walker's Mammals of the World, Fifth
Ed. Vol. II, Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University
Press, 1991. |
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Parker, S. P. (ed.). Grzimeks Encyclopedia:
Mammals. Vol. 5. New York: McGraw-Hill, pp.
82-95. 1989.
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