WINSTON WEEKLY^[1]

January 18, 2026

Vol. 4, No. 3

LIVELY, LOVABLE LLAMAS

Although related to camels, llamas are not for riding. Native to the mountains of South America, including Peru and Ecuador, there are more than seven million wild llamas. Over the centuries, many have served as pack animals given their ability to carry up to 200 pounds. A llama simply lies down or refuses to move if it is overloaded.

Llamas communicate with each other by humming. The gestation period for a llama is nearly one year. Baby llamas begin eating solid food within a couple of weeks after birth and are fully weaned at six to twelve months.

With a life span of 15-20 years, a height of four to six feet, and a normally slow pace in herds, llamas can run up to 35 to 40 miles per hour. Llamas are social creatures and occasionally add sheep and goats to their herds. Given their calm demeanor and love of a good head scratch or back massage, they are increasingly used as therapy animals for children and the elderly.

Despite their lovable ways, many farmers use llamas to protect sheep, goats, chickens, horses, and cows. Known as “guard llamas” for their keen instincts, they ward off predators by kicking, chasing, spitting up to ten feet, and making a shrill sound known as a “rusty hinge.” Initially established in 1996 to assist with farm and yard maintenance, Buck Hollow Llamas in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania now provides guard llamas and companion llamas throughout the United States. Operated by Doug and Carol Reigh, Carol also carries a line of llama clothing, llama rugs, and llama yarn. Llama wool is lightweight and durable. Lacking lanolin, it is also hypoallergenic.

WEEKLY ACTIVITY

Explore the basics of llama care, including the types of food and shelter needed to keep them healthy. Can any veterinarian care for llamas? How does care for a llama differ from the care of a donkey or a horse?

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[1] A weekly blog/newsletter by Alysen Bayles to be shared with the appropriate attribute. Resources: Tatum Lenberg, Llama Mia! 10 Fun Facts about Llamas, Dec. 9, 2021, www.discovery.com; Cameron Walker, Guard Llamas Keep Sheep Safe From Coyotes, National Geographic, June 10, 2023; Buck Hollow Llamas, Inc., www.buckhollowllamas.com; Carlson’s Llovable Llamas, www.carlsonsllovablellamas.com; Gail Birutta, Storeys Guide to Raising Llamas, Storey Books, 1995.