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Lamas


The Incas saw the benefits in keeping the ancestor of the lama as a pet for the same mentioned reasons as stated above. The Incas domesticated the ancestor, the guanaco, from which both the lama and the alpaca came to be. The lama is a species of South-American camel without the bumps and is smaller in size. The head looks a tad bit like that of a sheep. The alpaca is a domestic species of lama too and equal in almost every aspect to the lama as described above. The alpaca is just a bit smaller and lighter, and it's wool is even finer than that of the lama. Below I have put some additional information

Lama (Lama guanicoe glama)
Gestation10 to 12 months
Adult weight70 to 140 kilos
Full length140 cm.
Tail length18 cm.
Shoulder height130 cm.
Full height160 cm.
Lifespan20 years
FoodGrasses, herbs and mosses (the lama can survive on very little food and water for a significant amount of time)
Coat colorBrown/white/black, the coat can be multicolored spotted, other times it has just one color.
Group lifeIt is best to keep them in groups of about 12 lamas. Instictively males watch out over the group of females (1 per group).
SpaceThey need now and then the space to graze and run if possible. Lamas can run fast, a large fence is advised.
StrangersThey can attack strangers/imposters (be it animal or human) and are very alert.
ShavingOnly the females are shaved for wool because the males are used as beasts of burden and therefor need their coat to avoid stressdamages to the skin.
SpitLamas do spit when agitated, keep in mind that lamas are pretty whimsical.
OxygenThe lama is for those living at high altitude in the Andes very important as a beast of burden. The lama by day can walk long distances. This it can do because it's lungs have a large capacity in proportion to it's size, and the blood can absorb much more oxygen then most other animals can, which is an adaptation to it's high altitude living.

Offered by Michel.

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