Llama Tusks

LLAMA TUSKS

October 10, 2012 

What do these animals have in common with the llama?

Pink Elephant

Pumba (copyright Disney)

Stuffed Wild Boar

Narwhals

Musk Deer

 They all have tusks!

Did you know that male llamas grow six razor-sharp tusks by the time they are three years old? These are hooked fighting teeth used to fight predators. Llama tusks are usually filed down soon after they erupt; otherwise, a tusked llama can permanently slit the ears of other llamas or cause worse damage when they wrestle with each other. Llamas used as guardian animals or placed in wildlife attractions, however, need their tusks to fend off canines, such as coyotes and stray dogs.

ShangriLlama had been on "Llama Tusk Alert" since Dalai Llama and Barack O’Llama were 18 months old. That’s the earliest that llama tusks erupt. Since then, our llama groomer had been checking inside the mouths of these llamas during their quarterly pedicures. Magically, when Dalai Llama and Barack O’Llama became three years old, their tusks broke through their gum lines. So Mama Llama called the llama vet tech to come for a visit.

Upon examination, the vet tech revealed that Dalai Llama and Barack O’Llama had only grown tusk buds, rather than long, dangerous tusks. That's likely because both llamas had been gelded (neutered), which decreases the hormones that encourage tusk growth. So the vet tech filed down the hooked part of the tusks, using an obstetrical wire. Here's what that looks like:

Guess how long it took before both llamas were fully recovered from their five-minute tusk-filing procedure? Well, as soon as they were released from the llama chute, Dalai Llama and Barack O'Llama were eating grass and playing with the rest of the pack!

 Here’s what their tusk buds looked like before they were shaved down:

Notice the pointy teeth. Those are llama tusk buds!

 And here’s what fully grown llama tusks look like: 

Llama tusks are razor-sharp!

Neither Dalai Llama nor Barack O’Llama would agree to an after-photo to show off their tuskless mouths. Can’t say I blame them!

Happy Trails from Mama Llama!

Llama Playground Opens

LLAMA PLAYGROUND OPENS

July 6, 2012

Dalai Llama Amuses the Neighbors on His Hill

LLAMAS LOVE HILLS. They’ll stake one out and claim it for themselves—until another llama knocks them off their perch. So, of course, Mama Llama wanted her llamas to have their very own hill. But ShangriLlama's meadow is flat, and adding a hill would mar the pretty view. So Mama Llama canceled her original plan to bring in--literally--tons of dirt and then seed it with tasty grass.You can read about that crazy idea  in the blog dated November 23, 2011, called “Just A Grassy Knoll."

PLAN TWO: Instead, Mama Llama asked Papa Llama if it would be feasible to clear the thick undergrowth on the naturally hilly land at the opposite end of the llamas' meadow. More than 60 deeply rooted, poisonous plants would have to be removed in this 150-foot-long area, but the llamas would then have a mini Machu Picchu to play on!

Well, Papa Llama is a soft touch, because he approved of Mama Llama’s vision for a hilly llama playground. A mere seven months later, the project was completed. It required three landscaping crews preceded by consultations with botanists, a university toxicologist, plus use of the Smithsonian’s SnapLeaf application for I-Phone to identify which of the existing plants were poisonous to llamas. (More than 125 common plants are on the list of poisons.) Only four plant species were spared: one large Douglas Pine, one small lemon tree, two pomegranate trees, and a few bottle brush plants. Those remained to provide the llamas with shade and snacks.

The project was worth it! See the llamas perch on their new hill with ease:

Are you wondering how llamas can walk so easily on hilly land? They have magic feet! Or to be more precise, they have gripper pads on the soles of their feet that they can quickly engage and release to remain amazingly surefooted on uneven, loose and steep terrain. Mama Llama has to wear spiked golf shoes to keep from falling in the llama playground! Take a look at these magic llama toes:

The Magic Soles of Llama Feet

The Incas knew all about the magic feet of llamas. That’s why they used llamas to help create terraces for roads and irrigation on the steep hills of Machu Picchu.

Llamas Helped Terrace Machu Picchu

While on Llama Walks, Pajama Llama uses his gripper pads to create an animal adventure park ride for himself and his pack. First, he climbs a loosely packed hill, and then he rides down it as the earth crumbles beneath him. Then the next llama in line takes that ride until they've all joined in the fun. Here's what that looks like:

See pack members waiting in line,
while Pajama Llama finishes playing on a hill.

Llamas definitely love hills, and now the llamas of ShangriLlama have one in their own backyard.

Happy Trails from Mama Llama!

Cowboy Llamas

COWBOY LLAMAS

May 6, 2012

This year, the llamas received fancy summer haircuts. 

They now look like cowboys with chaps!

Dalai Llama looks like a cross between a llama and a poodle!

Look closely to find the woolly chaps on Pajama Llama's hips and shoulders.

Bahama Llama received the traditional barrel (belly) cut this year.

Como T. Llama shows off his new 'do with a-t-t-i-t-u-d-e!

Barack O'Llama looks the best in his new cowboy get-up.

Here's Drama Llama sporting a dramatic cowboy cut.

In the midst of shearing Drama Llama, we discovered his belly spots!

As a pure Argentine llama, Drama Llama will need two haircuts each year, because Argentines grow wool almost as fast as Chia Pets! This means that we’ll have plenty of fiber to give to the school children that visit ShangriLlama. We’ll also have enough for our Llama Walk customers to feel how silky-soft llama belly wool is as one of the top 20 most valuable natural fiber in the world. And this year, our groomer has offered to hand-spin Como T. Llama’s wool into skeins of yarn. Mama and Papa Llama’s daughter, Llama Girl, will knit herself a sweater from this luxurious fiber:

Can you tell which wool belongs to which llama?

In case you're wondering why llamas are shorn, check out the following two photos of Drama Llama. He's our woolliest critter, because he's half alpaca! Llamas carry, on average, six pounds of wool on their bodies. Drama Llama grows more than that! The wool MUST come off to get through hot and humid summers. Each animal experiences great relief to have that wool removed.

Drama Llama Before Shearing

Drama Llama After Shearing

 Mama Llama wishes to thank Eileen Ditsler, Llama Groomer Extraordinaire, 

who spent 5-1/2 hours giving all six llamas their cool and fancy summer cuts.
Maybe next year, we'll paint the llamas' toes???

Happy Trails from Mama Llama!

How Fast Can A Llama Run?

HOW FAST CAN LLAMAS RUN?

March 28, 2012

Can a llama outrun its chief predator, the coyote? 

Can it outrun the fastest human? 

Which is faster: a llama or a rabbit? 

Would a roadrunner beat a llama in a race?

Many people ask how fast a llama can run. And most people are shocked by the answer:

Llamas run 35 to 40 mph!

This means that llamas can run about as fast as coyotes, which are their main predator. They can also beat these animals:


Roadrunners - 18.6mph
Elephants - 25 mph
The Fastest Human - 27.89mph
Domestic Cats & Rabbits - 29.8mph
Giraffes - 32mph

Can you see the resemblance between camels and llamas?

Camels, however, can outrun llamas by 5mph. Have you ever seen camel races? These animal attractions take place during the winter in the United Arab Emirates and each summer at the Camel Cup in Alice Springs, Australia. 

Traditional Camel Races

Llamas have yet to be invited to camel races, because llamas like to make sharp turns, sudden stops and change directions very quickly. These skills are great for outsmarting coyotes, but they would make camel jockeys very cranky. Over the past few years, however, jockeys have been replaced by robots. Truly!  

Robots replace jockeys in camel races!

 Maybe there's hope for llamas to be invited soon to a camel race!

Happy Trails from Mama Llama!

Meet Drama Llama

MEET DRAMA LLAMA

March 11, 2012

Mama Llama realized she needed to increase the size of her llama pack following recent KTLA Morning News coverage of our private zoo encounter with llamas. So she borrowed a llama from her award-winning trainer. The visiting llama's given name is Oso, which is Spanish for bear, but it must also mean that he’s Oh-So-Cute. Take a look at this Argentine spotted llama!

Oso, the "Loaner Llama" at ShangriLlama

Today Oso joined his first Llama Walk. As the entire pack passed through a crowd that was celebrating the 100^th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts at the Nixon Library, Oso attracted more attention than the other llamas because of his dramatic coloring. So we affectionately dubbed him “Drama Llama.”

You might find it fun to compare Drama Llama to Como T. Llama, the yearling we adopted on Christmas Eve:

Two Appaloosa Llamas at ShangriLlama

Both llamas are spotted, but the differences are fascinating:

Drama Llama is a Dark Dilute Appaloosa with a Merle (mottled) face. The background color of his coat is a dark cream, and his spots are dark. Quite dramatic!

Como T. Llama is a Light Dilute Appaloosa. He has a light cream coat with light brown spots. Como T. Llama also has some curly hair, which is called Suri--like Tom Cruise’s daughter, who doesn’t have curly hair. Go figure!

And here’s the entire ShangriLlama pack greeting Drama Llama. They like him!

 This video shows that all the llamas are interested in the newcomer. However, Barack O’Llama decided that a sufficient number of llamas already live at ShangriLlama. As a result, Barack stood guard at the entrance to the stables and wouldn’t let Drama Llama in all night. So Mama Llama stayed up trying to “convince” Barack O’Llama to let down his guard. She wasn’t successful. Such llama drama!

However, today we took the whole pack on a walk, and afterward, Barack O’Llama forgot about guarding the stable entrance. It seems that he had bonded sufficiently with the newbie during the walk and now considers him—provisionally—one of the pack.

It would be great to have Drama Llama stay at ShangriLlama for several weeks...or longer? But that depends on whether Barack O’Llama minds his manners. Time will tell!

Happy Trails from Mama Llama!

UPDATE: Drama Llama became a regular member of the ShangriLlama pack just two weeks after his initial visit. Mama Llama fell in love with him, and Barack O'Llama not only accepted Drama Llama but enjoys watching over him!

Drama Llama Becomes Part of the Pack

Llamas Show Off Their Pajamas On TV

February 15, 2012

The llamas at ShangriLlama recently held a pack meeting to discuss ways to make people look as cute as a llama. Their solution? Llama Pajamas, of course!

Pajama Llama led the pack’s efforts to design the pajamas. Everyone agreed to create adult-sized, one-piece hooded and footed pajamas out of cozy brown fleece. Dalai Llama made the ears to look just like his “banana ears,” while Barack O’Llama fashioned the big llama eyes, long eyelashes and bulbous lips after those adorable features on his face. Bahama Llama added lovely llama toes to the attached feet. At the last minute, Pajama Llama copied the shape of his “pom pom tail” and placed it on the pajama seat after flattening the tail for sleeping comfort. He also added a 24-inch hidden zipper to the front of the pajamas, to speed nighttime bathroom breaks. Pajama Llama is a very considerate llama!

The pack was so pleased with their design that they decided to invite Allie Mac Kay of KTLA Morning News to visit their animal attraction and wear the first pair of Llama Pajamas.™ The llamas couldn’t keep their eyes off her, because she looked just like a llama! See for yourself!

Allie Mac Kay of KTLA Morning News infiltrates the ShangriLlama pack by dressing like a llama in Llama Pajamas.™

Barack O'Llama needs to get a closer look at reporter Allie Mac Kay, who is dressed in Llama Pajamas.™

Who has better "banana ears": Allie Mac Kay or Barack O'Llama?

Now the llamas are working day and night to create Llama Pajamas™ for everyone that wants to look like a llama and stay cozy-warm and adorable while sleeping. The llamas are also decorating burlap sacks to mail the pajamas in, and they will attach a gift card that is sure to make you laugh.

UPDATE: After several years of producing Llama Pajamas, the pack decided to retire from this laborious activity. Llazy Llamas! These pajamas were very popular in Australia, where we're told people like to dress in animal Onesies and go to the zoo! Llama Pajamas also sold heavily to the east coast of the United States to wise individuals who really wanted to be as warm as a llama on a winter's night. On behalf of the llamas at ShangriLlama, thank you for supporting the llamas' first commercial product. They're working on a new llama llogo now.

Happy Trails from Mama Llama!

A Llama for Christmas

 

MEET THE NEW LLAMA AT SHANGRILLAMA!

December 25, 2011

Yearling Como T. Llama is a
Chilean and Argentine Appaloosa...with dreadlocks!

Over the past eight months, interviews have been taking place between Mama Llama and quite a variety of southern California llamas. The objective: to add two llamas to the ShangriLlama pack, particularly a spotted llama, known as an Appaloosa; and a brown llama with dreadlocks, called a suri. The day before Christmas, Mama Llama decided on one precious yearling bearing both characteristics. What a great two-fer this holiday season!

Como T. Llama is a first-generation American llama, the offspring of an Argentine-born mother and a Chilean father. This spotted llama has curly wool on his legs and ears! Como T. Llama is sweet, curious, spunky and confident. His breeder is a four-time national champion performance trainer. What a perfect addition for our small zoo!

Como T. Llama Meets His Big Brothers

Pack members really like their new baby brother. Dalai Llama is trying to win Como over as his new best friend. Barack O’Llama, the old best friend, doesn’t mind, because Barack has appointed himself Leader of the Little Ones and has been standing very tall and regal since Como’s arrival. The real pack leader, Pajama Llama, is not insulted by Barack’s posturing but is keeping a watchful eye over all three young llamas. Bahama Llama is curious about Como but prefers to spend his time guarding his feed pile.

Dalai Llama Can't Wait to Play
With Como T. Llama

Barack O'Llama and Bahama Llama
Check Out the New Kid on the Block

Pack Leader Pajama Llama
Convinces a Cousin to Help Create
Some Holiday Cheer

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah from

Pajama Llama

Bahama Llama

Barack O’Llama

Dalai Llama

Como T. Llama 

Mama Llama & Family

Llamas Meet Their Congressman

LLAMAS MEET THEIR CONGRESSMAN

December 8, 2011

The ShangriLlama pack often stays up way past their bedtime to discuss politics. Conversations last a long time, because the pack consists of two Republicans (Bahama Llama and Pajama Llama), one Democrat (Barack O’Llama) and an Independent (Dalai Llama). Discussions are usually peaceful, especially when the Dalai Llama leads the group.

But one evening, Barack O’Llama was reading the local newspaper and learned that his meadow, located in the new Congressional District 39, had been redistricted. Most of the llamas didn’t know what that meant, so 12-year-old Pajama Llama explained from experience. He said that every ten years, everyone’s counted in something called a U.S. Census. It takes place, in part, so that all 435 U.S. Representatives represent an equal amount of people. “That seems fair,” said the Dalai Llama.

Then Barack O’Llama took out his I-Phone and learned about the leading candidate for the redistricting of the meadow. “It’s Ed Royce!" Barack exclaimed. “He’s a huge animal lover and a horseman. Let’s invite him over for a 'round-stable' discussion about today’s issues!” The others agreed.

U.S. Representative Ed Royce

The pack couldn’t sleep a wink the night before they met the congressman, because they were excited about so many neighbors coming to their animal adventure park to hear him speak. So Pajama Llama, the pack’s leader, had the boys choose their favorite cookie recipes, and the llamas spent the entire evening baking and decorating.

When Congressman Royce arrived, he explained a variety of issues so clearly that even the llamas could understand them, and then he fielded questions from the “packed” house. The llamas paid special attention to the discussion of grain subsidies, grassroots organizations and watchdog groups. 

Bahama Llama and Pajama Llama
Hear Good Things From Congressman Royce

At the end of the event, the llamas asked for a group picture with Congressman Royce, who greeted them with open arms.

Congressman Royce Easily Gains Pack Approval

So even though the ShangriLlama pack is a mixed bag politically, they all fell in love with the leading candidate to represent them in Congress, and from the looks of it, the feeling was mutual.

“I never imagined that redistricting could be so much fun!” exclaimed Barack O’Llama.

Is the Grass Greener on the Other Side of the Fence?

IS THE GRASS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE?

November 23, 2011

DURING THIS SEASON OF THANKSGIVING, Mama Llama can’t help but think that thankfulness is not a characteristic of barnyard animals. In most cases, animals don’t like to share their food, and they’re prone to believe that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. This is true of llamas in two ways.

 First, llamas are sure that the other members of their pack are eating tastier morsels than the food that has been put in front of them. So instead of enjoying their food and being thankful that they no longer have to forage for it, they engage in what Mama Llama calls The GAG Dance (Grass is Greener Dance). It goes like this:

The most dominant llama will gently bump a less dominant llama from his feeder. The bumped llama will then pester another llama to move away from his feeder. And so it goes until every llama has eaten from every feeder. At the end of the dance, each llama seems satisfied that he has found “the greener grass,” even though the feeder contents are identical!

 Second, llamas are sure that the blades of grass outside their fence line are greener--thus juicier and tastier--than the blades inside the fence line. But plenty of barnyard zoo animals think the grass is greener out there, not just llamas. Take a look!

Llamas and their herbivore friends have a good reason for wanting what’s just out of reach. It turns out that the grass does appear to be greener on the other side of the fence! Here’s why: If you look straight down at grass, brown spots and patches are quite visible. But if you look across a field of grass, essentially at an angle, you will notice that the color green is much more dominant.

 But what was gained by craning the neck and contorting the body? Better grass? No. That’s because the grass is not really greener on the other side; it’s just an optical illusion.

Barnyard animals serve as a good reminder that straining for something we don’t have looks awkward, can be futile and often doesn’t make us any happier if we get it. Food for thought!

 Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving from Mama Llama and her pack of greedy critters.