Llama Behavior

A llarge llot of llamas ... not to mention lloud clattering of llama toenails on irrigation pipes, lloud creaking from pressure on the fence, and humms, spits, and squeals. New baby llamas attract a LOT of attention.

A sunny day means lots of "dead llamas." This is much less a problem once the neighbors get used to it and stop leaving frantic phone messages. Princessa (left) is actually in a classic deceased position (neck arched back); only the fact that her head is rotated and her lower ear is held slightly up gives away that she isn't really dead. Zorra (right) is in a more common sunbathing posture.

Elahn is young; he feels he should have "personal space" but doesn't yet understand that other animate beings also feel the same way, and as such, are going to defend said space. Elahn is merely curious; Teewinot says he is being fresh (see her ears and pinched lips) and then, because Elahn doesn't "listen", she emphasizes her point with the current contents of her mouth. Were there not a fence between, there might also be physical emphases as well, including pushing bodies and stomping front legs.

... and if you know what's good for you, you'll back away slowly and leave me alone. Misty demonstrates the bluffing posture of a very nervous llama (if this were video, you'd also hear clucking and see her cheeks puff out with each "cluck"). Misty's issues stem entirely from a LONG treatment (years ago) for a huge abscess below her eye and apparent residual nerve damage and possibly vision compromise. Once Misty knows she can trust whoever it is to not physically overpower her, she LOVES to be scratched.

"That llama look"

Around one week of age, young llamas redirect their instinctive mouthiness to grass and hay, just to see what it is. The moss on the concrete post support isn't edible, but how else is she to find that out? Moms provide no guidance other than example ... and, in some cases, deterrent behavior — some moms share their grain ration with their current baby, and some do NOT share with anybody!

Another lesson, this one incomplete because of the physical separation — Konrad (or any other goose, especially in the spring) might grab a beakful of wool and beat the [censored :-)] out of a baby llama. An important lesson, but a very dangerous one at such a young age. Hence the fence!

At first it doesn't seem so bad — big llama and little llama get to sniff each other. Dazzle's hormones are obviously shifting or she would be spitting and threatening rather than sniffing.

Llamas produce small amounts of rich milk rather than the larger quantities produced by the domestic animals we're used to (and have enhanced through selective breeding). Babies nurse often, but not for particularly long. Camels, sharing the same family, have the same "strategy".