What do you do with llamas?

Showing: Llamas are shown throughout the United States.  The Alpaca and Llama Show Association (ALSA) is the governing body for many of the shows.

Public Relations:  Llamas have a very calm disposition and fastidious bathroom habits.  This allows them to be taken into buildings.  Elementary schools often visit the farm.  Some llamas are brought into nursing homes to visit with the patients, much the way a dog would be.

Packing:  Llamas are excellent packers. Their two-toed foot with its leathery bottom pad gives llamas a great sure-footedness.  This foot, and the llamas ability to browse, give the llama an environmental impact similar to a large deer.  Llamas have less impact on the environment than an average hiker; and are allowed into many parks where mules, donkeys, and horses are not.   Well conditioned lamas can carry up to one third of their body weight.   Although llamas can carry large amounts of weight, their skeletal system is not designed for being ridden.

Guarding:  Llamas are often used as guardians for smaller livestock such as alpacas, sheep, goats, and poultry.  Suitable llamas adjust readily to their new herd mates and will sound an alarm call if they feel threatened by predators.  Many guardian llamas will bring the group of animals they are protecting to a safe place; such as a barn if a predator approaches.  They may also chase the predator out of the field.

Fiber Production:  Llamas, have very fine fiber that can be spun into yarn for making clothing and blankets.  For Llama fiber is lanolin-free.  This makes it a good alternative for people who are allergic to the lanolin in sheep’s wool.  Llamas produce a hollow fiber.  This makes it warmer and lighter than traditional wools.  It is also waterproof.  Llama fiber can be harvested through shearing every year.  For llamas with guard hairs, you can brush out the soft under coat.