The lama, also called llama, is a camelid from South America. This domesticated animal is now reared widely as a source of meat, but earlier people from the Andean culture used it as a pack animal as well. The species has presumably originated from the North American central plains about 60 million years back and then migrated to its present location 4 million years ago, approximately.
At the end of the last Ice Age, the species camelid was considered as extinct. However, due to its relocation in South America this species was still being able to breed successfully. The alpaca is another similar animal that belong to this camelid group. According to present records, around 100,000 of the alpacas and 158,000 of the lamas are now available in different Canadian and US states.
General Information about the Lamas
A full size, full-grown lama is about 1.8 or 1.9 meter tall and it weights between 140 and 200 kg. A baby lama, who is also called a cria, weights between 10 and 14 kg. Lamas generally live for 25 to 30 years, but if proper care is taken, they can live up to 40 years.
Characteristically lamas are social animals and they like the company of human being, especially of small children. The animal easily co-operates with other lamas and makes a herd of their own. Wool, made from this domestic animal, is lanolin free and is thus soft in nature. They are intelligent animals and can learn complex tasks after two or three repetitions. When used as a pack, a lama can carry 30% more than its body weight.
Breeding Situations for the Lamas
Generally, three breeding processes are followed to increase the species in number and these are
- Harem breeding
- Hand breeding
- Field breeding
Harem breeding: In this process of breeding, a single male lama is left with a number of females all year long.
Hand Breeding: This is the most efficient breeding process for the lamas, but people who are involved in this process need to work hard to complete it successfully. They keep a female and male lama in a same pane to monitor their breeding. Then they separate the animals and again re-bred them in alternative days, until they refuse breeding anymore.
Usually, this process results in two breeding, but sometimes the male partner is reluctant and refuse further breeding. The separation method is followed to maintain high-level of sperm count and also to keep the reproduction tract of the female lamas healthy. The female partner is noticed for 2 or 3 weeks then and in case of unsuccessful breeding, she is bred once again.
Field Breeding: This is called so because here a female lama is left with a male lama in the field for some time. This process is easier than the hand breeding process because less labor is required here. However, this is not a widely followed process of breeding because here one cannot determine the approximate birth date of a cria.
Caring for a Lama
Both the infant lamas and the adult ones need intensive care to grow up and to work properly. If we care for the animal, it will produce more meat and can work harder. Caring for a lama is not difficult when one follows a few simple methods.
Lamas should be kept in three-sided rooms, with a high roof and small windows. The stable must be free of poisonous elements. Generally, lamas are grazing animal, but we should not allow them to eat anything, as it proves detrimental to the animals’ health. When left for grazing, they must be sent to fields full of either orchid grass or hay.
If more meat is required from the animal, it must be given some chosen grains, along with grass. Avoid giving it grasses that come with colic like the fescue or the wet hay. Always keep a certain amount of mineral salt (ground) in its stable so that the animal can have it anytime it needs. Trim its fur at least twice a year to keep the animal and its wool cool and clean. Lamas’ feet are very sensitive as it comes with big nails that need to be clipped often. It is a difficult task and taking a professional’s help proves important if you cannot do it alone.
Lamas and the Spanish Empire
The Spanish Empire used to rear this special species in huge numbers to carry ore mines, situated on high-altitude Mountains. Most of the empire had huge lama stables where they used to breed the female lamas. However, with the increasing employment of donkeys and horses for the purpose, lamas were no more used as a beast-of-burden.