Thursday, January 13, 2011

Kushy

KUSHY
January 13, 2011

When a llama wants to take a load off his feet, he kushes.
That simply means he sits down. However, kushing is an unusual position for large animals. But then llamas are unusual critters in many ways , wouldn't you say? Take a peek at Pajama Llama in the kush position:

Pajama Llama spends a "kushy" afternoon in the arena.
Where are his legs?

 Kushing (or cushing or kooshing) is an awkward activity, because the back legs of llamas bend at the hip first and the knees last--after the animal has leaned forward to get a good stretch into those back legs. Sitting is awkward for llamas. First, the llama has to lean its 350-pound, 6-foot-tall body forward, then bend his front legs under, then lean backward to collapse the rest of his body. See how compact a llama becomes when he kushes? 

If a llama kushes near you, then he trusts that you will not harm him. ShangriLlama's pack likes to kush at the park, which is located at the halfway point of our weekend animal adventures called Llama Walks. Adults and children there are amazed to see the otherwise tall llamas just sitting under the trees. If anyone were to dare try to scare the llamas (not with Mama Llama around!), these animals would quickly yet awkwardly rise to their feet. If a llama does not get up, then he's probably not feeling well. What great communication on the llama's part!

So a kushing llama is a happy, relaxed llama. Llamas spend hours kushing in their stables while they chew their cud. Today Pajama Llama kushed in his 150-foot arena, after he enjoyed a sunbath and contemplated which hay he might be served for dinner. I think today's fare is dried Timothy grass. Yum!

Wishing you a kushy day, too!

Happy Trails from Mama Llama!

Llamas Go "Green" After Christmas

LLAMAS GO "GREEN" AFTER CHRISTMAS
January 13, 2011

For the ultimate recycling opportunity, feed your dried-up Douglas Fir Christmas tree to a pack of llamas!
Llamas love to eat pine needles. This makes llamas the ultimate "green" animal, wouldn't you say?

The llamas of ShangriLlama are so lucky that they live on a Christmas tree farm. They rarely pass up the opportunity to take a nibble from a cut-down tree. They mow lawns for free, too, by happily grazing off tall blades of grass, plus weeds and other dried vegetation that are within their limited diet.

Look how well the llamas polished off this Christmas tree... 

... in about 10 minutes!

Llamas Recycled This Christmas Tree!

 You may be wondering how a llama can process the prickly needles of pine trees. Easy! Llamas have one stomach with three compartments, which work over food until it is excreted as virtually odor-free pellets the size of rabbit poo. Honestly! Someday Mama Llama will photograph "llama beans" and tell you all about their value in your rose garden :)

Now Mama Llama can never again look at a "used" Christmas tree without thinking that it could have been a treat for a pack of llamas. Not all trees qualify: they aren't suitable for llamas if they have been sprayed with pesticides, herbicides or frosted white, pink or any other color, either. And only Douglas Fir trees are safe for llamas. The other Christmas tree varieties are on the Bad List of plants never to feed a llama. 

Donate your unadulterated Douglas Fir Christmas tree to a private zoo near you. The llamas will eat every branch and turn the tree into fertilizer. Win-win!

Happy Trails from Mama Llama!