Pronking

WHAT DO LLAMAS DO ALL DAY?

September 9, 2013

Well, aside from eating and cat-napping, 

llamas play all sorts of games with their pack members. 

These games include:

 “Your Food is My Food” 

“Get Out of My Way”

“Can’t Touch Me!”

“I Can Spit Farther Than You Can” 

Essentially, llamas spend their day stealing food, pushing other llamas
away from “their” food, 

chasing and spitting at each other, plus wrestling and bucking
to assert their ranking in the pack.

Blessedly, a much more magical activity takes place on llama farms, 

usually on cool days and just before the sun goes down. 

That’s when these animals experience a surge of energy 

that must be spent before they stay fairly still from sundown to sunup. 

This particular activity is called pronking. 

Think of a rabbit or a deer hopping through a meadow:
all four feet leave the ground at once.

That’s what llamas actually do, and it’s an odd sight to behold. 

Even stoic, ultra-serious llamas will join an occasional pronking session. 

With every member of the pack hopping like bunnies for five to 10 minutes, 

pronking looks like an ancient, ritualistic dance.

But it’s just these quirky animals joining in some last-minute fun.

Because pronking happens at dusk, lighting is very poor for videotaping.

Mama Llama has tried unsuccessfully for more than a decade (!) 

to videotape her llamas pronking. They're sneaky about it!

Fortunately, www.youtube.com contains some videos
of joyful, pronking llamas. You won't believe your eyes!

Happy Trails from Mama Llama!

How Long Do Llamas Live?

HOW LONG DO LLAMAS LIVE?

September 8, 2013

MANY PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED TO LEARN

HOW LONG LLAMAS LIVE.

After all, they are large animals, 

weighing from 275 to 450 pounds when fully grown, 

and they often measure six-feet tall. 

But large animals can experience a long life.  

Take a look:

9 years

10 years

20 years

22 years

40 years

40 years

40 years

45 years

68 years

70 years

So how long do llamas live? Well, from the mid-1980s--when llamas first entered the U.S.--until about 2015, most llama breeders reported an age range of 15 to 18 years. Since then, age expectancy has increased in line with better nutrition and overall knowledge about the needs of llamas. Now it is not unusual for llamas to live to be 20 to 23 years old! That number truly is remarkable, because there is very little medicine specifically formulated for llamas. In fact, most of their medicine was developed for other livestock or equine. Fortunately, llamas are hardy animals that require little medical intervention. With good nutrition, low stress and a watchful eye against predators and plant poisonings, llamas can reach their full lifetime potential.

Recent grants at veterinary teaching hospitals have resulted in landmark studies about llamas and their camelid cousins. Quite notably, llama DNA has been completely mapped, revealing that these animals have 74 chromosomes. That’s comparable to a horse (64) and a cow (60), and this number well exceeds that of humans (46).

Great news! Llama DNA studies will also increase the human life span! Take a look at these recent discoveries:

2009 – Scientists have determined that certain antibodies in llama blood can be used to quickly and accurately detect biological weapons—such as cholera and smallpox—then quickly develop antibodies that bind to new threats as they are revealed. 

2010 - Therapies have been developed for both H.I.V and influenza using llama antibodies.

2011 – A practical treatment was developed for human botulism poisoning based on antibodies from llamas and their cousins, the alpaca and camel.

 2016 - Two potent llama, alpaca and camel antibodies were found to fight separately against MERS and SARS.

2019 - A rare blood-clotting disorder known as TTP can now be treated with FDA-approved medicine based on llama, alpaca and camel antibodies.

May 2020 – Scientists believe that the llama, alpaca and camel antibodies that can neutralize MERS and SARS are a likely defense against the Covid-19 virus. However, it would be costly and time-consuming to prove this true, as compared to other options. 

Still, research continues at a rapid pace toward treating human illnesses with antibodies from llamas and their cousins. Such research takes place at private zoos and teaching hospitals and will benefit llamas and alpacas, which have not been well-studied as compared to other domesticated animals. Surely every llama lover looks forward to the day that llamas live as long as a horse! 

Happy Trails from Mama Llama!

How to Greet a Llama

HOW TO GREET A LLAMA

September 6, 2013

IF YOU ENCOUNTER A FRIENDLY LLAMA, 

how would you say hello to him? 

If you wave your hand, he’s likely to think you have a treat. 

If there’s no treat, the llama will walk away. 

So how can you engage a llama and make friends with him? Breathe into his mouth!

How to greet a llama from The Llamas of ShangriLlama. 
Copyright ShangriLlama.com. All rights reserved.

That was not a misprint. The official llama greeting is mouth-blowing. Mama Llama is not suggesting that you pretend to blow out a candle in the direction of the llama. No, it’s more dramatic than that! Inhale, and then share your worst morning breath with the llama. That’s right: blow from the gut toward the llama’s mouth.

Guess what will happen? It won’t spit on you; no worries! A friendly llama that is interested in you will come right up to your mouth to smell your breath. That’s how he can learn more about you and remember who you are next time. Dogs share information with body smells, too. But they do so by sniffing the rear end of other animals. Isn’t it more polite to share scents from the mouth?

If you are brave enough to stand still while the llama is enjoying your morning breath, then you just might be brave enough for the second half of the llama greeting. To prepare for the exchange, you will see the llama’s nostrils flare. That’s because llamas breathe through their nose, rather than from their mouth. Following inhalation, the llama will blow air into your mouth! Admittedly, this experience with an animal is daunting the first time. But it makes for a memorable moment.

So go ahead: breathe into the mouth of the next friendly llama you meet. If that llama finds you intriguing, then he’ll reciprocate. And he'll remember who you are--forever!

Happy Trails from Mama Llama!

P.S. Mama Llama does not recommend you try this at a barnyard zoo or a petting zoo, unless the zoo keeper assures you that the llamas are socialized. Not every llama is friendly.

Banana Ears

BANANA EARS

September 5, 2013

HOW CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN LLAMAS AND ALPACAS?

 That’s easy. Just look at their ears!

While alpacas have cat-like ears...

Alpaca ears

...llamas have curved ears.

Llama ears

Some say that llama ears remind them of Viking horns...

Viking (Nordic) horns

...while others liken llama ears to the Hawaiian "Mahalo" sign:

Mahalo!

But the easiest way to discern whether you’re looking at 

a llama or an alpaca

is to find the banana-shaped ears:

  

Llamas have "banana ears."

And those bananas are constantly in motion. That’s because llamas “talk” with their ears. Animal behaviorists have yet to crack the code on exactly what llamas are saying to each other at all times, but a few ear positions are translatable. For example, perfectly formed banana ears reveal that the llama is content. Ears pointed forward mean that the llama is listening to what’s in front of him. Likewise, ears turned backward (yes, they can do that) mean that the llama is listening to sounds behind him. If the sound is particularly engaging, all the llamas in a pack will stand still and point their ears in the same direction. Llamas can also use their ears like individual radars, turning one ear forward and the other backward. Plus, they can turn their ears sideways, which looks hilarious.

Llamas can move their ears in many directions.

There is one llama ear position that you should pay special attention to: 

FLAT BACK

Take note of a llama with ears in this position!

When a llama flattens his ears against his neck, he’s about to spit! Please don’t take this personally, because spitting is meant for the nearest llama, who is likely encroaching on the first llama’s personal space or is attempting to take a treat away. (Llamas don’t like to share.) "Spit happens" in a millisecond, and whatever bits of hay and saliva are in the llama’s mouth or throat is spewed forward like a shower. 

This llama from Canada is giving spitting lessons.

If you ever find yourself standing in front of a llama with
flat-back ears and head raised, 

your best defense to avoid the spit is to 

DUCK!

Llamas aren't the only spitters in their family. Their distant cousin, the camel, has developed a reputation for spitting at people, and so have alpacas. Llamas generally spit the least overall, and rarely at people--unless provoked or in an environment they don't feel safe, such as a wildlife attraction with many other animals nearby, or an interactive zoo (llamas don't like to be touched).

Even though “spitty ears” are daunting, it's fascinating to watch llamas move their ears. It looks like a dance, with the ears flexing like a ballerina stretching upward, forward, sideways and backward. Look at ShangriLlama's owners flexing their "banana ears" in their Llama Pajama costumes!

Mama & Papa Llama Wear Their Llama Pajamas

The next time you encounter a pack of llamas, watch their ears. What do you think they're saying? I hope it's a compliment about you!

Happy Trails from Mama Llama!

Llama Sunglasses

LLAMA SUNGLASSES

September 4, 2013

LLAMAS LOVE TO LIE IN THE SUN, yet they are highly sun-sensitive. So they wear sunglasses—but not Ray-Bans or Oakleys. Llama sunglasses are built into their eyes!

Bahama Llama and Pajama Llama Take a Sunbath

Technically, llama sunglasses are called iridic granules, or corpora nigra. These look like black bubbles at the intersection of the pupil (the black part of the eye) and the iris (the colored part of the eye). When llamas need their sunglasses, the bubbles above the pupil interlock (interdigitate) vertically with the bubbles below the pupil—much like vertical blinds on a window. Llamas can then focus and accept light through two openings on either end of their pupils, while the center of their pupils is completely shaded to cut out glare and bright light.

Here’s what llama sunglasses look like magnified. Some liken the shape to a skeleton key, while others say they look like the edges of "Ruffles with Ridges” potato chips.

Just in case you’re planning on staring into the eyes of the next llama you meet, please know that you can’t see iridic granules in dark-eyed llamas—and most llamas have dark eyes. Actually, llama eye colors range from black to brown to amber to orange to gray, and finally to blue. It is the blue-eyed llama that offers the best viewing of iridic granules. Gaze into the gorgeous blue eyes of ShangriLlama’s own Dalai Llama, below:

Dalai Llama Shows Off His Iridic Granules

Dalai Llama’s two blue eyes are quite rare, because blue eyes are considered a flaw in llama shows. Think of dog shows, cat shows and horse shows, which require specific characteristics to determine grand champions. In the llama world, blue eyes automatically disqualify llamas from the show ring. That’s because blue eyes with white coats are markers of the deaf gene. Have you ever heard of blue-eyed, white-coated cats? They’re often deaf. And so it is with llamas, which is the reason blue eyes are discouraged. Dalai Llama is not deaf, however, so he serves as our “demo llama.” He's very good- natured about our Llama Walk customers staring into his eyes to spy his iridic granules.

You may be wondering if llamas are the only ones in the animal kingdom with built-in sunglasses. Actually, they are not. Horses, cattle, sheep, goats and alpacas have these built-in sunglasses, too. But llamas and their cousin the alpaca have the darkest sunglasses, with six iridic granules above their iris and six below. Cattle, sheep and goats have fewer granules, while horses only have the granules above the pupil. This makes the gentle llama and his cousin the most sun-sensitive of the grazing animals. Maybe that’s why, when you look into a llama’s big eyes, you see a truly soft, friendly gaze! 

If your local zoo doesn't have a blue-eyed llama, then please consider visiting ShangriLlama to meet the Dalai Llama. You might not ever meet a more expressive llama. Truly, his big blue eyes are mesmerizing! 

Happy Trails from Mama Llama!

The Llamas of ShangriLlama

THE LLAMAS OF SHANGRILLAMA

November 11, 2012

What would you do if your child asked for 

a dog or a cat or a rabbit or a hamster?

 How about a reptile? 

 Many parents would just say yes, and buy the animal at a pet store or from a breeder, or get a free pet at a rescue league or shelter after learning about animal care online. 

But what if your child asked for a LLAMA?

Where would shop? 

How would you learn about its needs?

That’s the situation Mama Llama found herself in a few years ago (before she was Mama Llama). Her son wanted not one, not two, but six llamas—a full pack. So mom and son went to llama farms, learned about the quirky animals—and fell in love. Everything changed, including their home address in the city to a private zoo now called ShangriLlama. 

Before you think that Mama Llama is overindulgent or completely crazy, consider this:

·                    Llamas don’t bite or kick.

·                    Llamas don’t have an odor, because there’s no oil in their wool, which doesn’t shed.

·                    Llamas eat one flake of hay each day. That doesn’t cost much.

·                    Llamas conveniently poop in shared piles, not all over the yard.

·                    Llama “beans" don’t have an odor, because llamas fully process their food.

·                    Llama beans are the ideal fertilizer and mulch starter.

·                    Llamas are stunningly, fascinatingly beautiful to look at.

·                    Llamas defy gravity the way they run and play.

·                    A pack of llamas provides non-stop hilarity.

·                    Llamas like to take walks, which greatly amuses the neighbors.

Basically, llamas are the perfect pet. Yet few people know the facts about these captivating animals, which have been domesticated for more than 5,000 years! So Mama Llama decided to write a book about llamas.

But she didn’t write a boring fact book. That wouldn’t reflect the playfulness of llamas! Instead, her book whimsically reveals the facts about llamas from head to toe in rhyme (iambic tetrameter, to be exact). And the real llamas that live at ShangriLlama have been transformed into caricatures (all copyrighted), as follows:

Drama Llama is not included in the book, because he came to ShangriLlama after The Llamas of ShangriLlama was halfway written. To see this dramatic looking llama, please visit www.ShangriLlama.com.

The playful characters for the book were designed by Patrick Williams, a gifted artist with a quirky sense of humor. He was graduated from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and now serves as director of digital arts at Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana, CA. His book illustrations are hilarious, especially in the subplot of llama beans hiding on every page, mimicking the storyline. Find the beans if you can!

In The Llamas of ShangriLlama, readers will learn more than 30 interesting llama facts, including:

·                    Can llamas really hum, cluck and scream?

·                    Which fruit looks like llama ears?

·                    How do llamas eat without their top front teeth?

·                    Why do llamas spit?

·                    How are llama beans made?

·                    How can llamas walk with only two toes on each foot?

 You can discover the answers in The Llamas of ShangriLlama. 

This whimsical, educational book is NOW available at www.ShangriLlama.com,
signed by the author on request. It is the first--and possibly only--children's book that teaches about llamas. Adults will enjoy it, too!

But if you're looking to meet llamas, not just read about them, 

do come visit the llamas of ShangriLlama at their private zoo. 

We've since relocated from California to the Dallas, Texas, area. Yee haw!

Happy Trails from Mama Llama!

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!