# Llama (*Lama glama*) Llamas are gentle animals that live in the mountains of South America. They have long necks and soft, fluffy fur. Llamas are known for being friendly and curious! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Mountain regions - **Also known as:** Andean Camelid, Andean Llama, Pack Llama, South American Camel ![Llama](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426789/objects/1851.jpg) ## Appearance The Llama has a tall, slender body with a long neck and large, erect, banana-shaped ears. Its shaggy coat can be white, brown, black, or dappled, making it look like a fluffy, oversized sheep. It stands out from similar animals by its distinct face and impressive height. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Camelidae - **Genus:** Lama ## Interesting facts - A llama can carry a backpack full of gear for up to 30 kilometers a day! - Llamas are used as therapy animals because of their calm and gentle nature. - Llamas hum to each other as a way of talking and showing they are happy! - They often use a communal 'poop pile,' all going in the same spot! ## Special abilities - **Spit Power:** Llama can spit green stomach contents far because it helps them warn rivals or show discomfort. - **Sure-Footed Strider:** Llama has soft, padded feet that help them grip rocky terrain and walk easily in mountains. - **Pack Animal Pro:** Llama can carry heavy loads up to 30% of their body weight, making them excellent helpers. - **Woolly Warmth:** Llama has a thick, shaggy double coat that helps them stay warm in cold, high-altitude places. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 150-180 cm - **Weight:** 130-200 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-25 years - **Speed:** 65 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 345-360 days ## Diet & Feeding Llamas are plant-eaters that munch on grasses, leaves, and other vegetation. - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Leaves, Shrubs, Lichens, Mosses - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Cougar](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cougar) (*Puma concolor*) — Can be prey for wild predators in remote, semi-wild settings. - **Eats:** Fescue Grass (*Festuca campestris*) — A common grass species llamas graze on in Andean pastures. - **Symbiotic with:** [Vicuña](https://www.snappit.app/explore/vicu%C3%B1a) (*Vicugna vicugna*) — Wild relatives sharing similar high-altitude Andean habitats and food sources. - **Parasitizes:** Barber Pole Worm (*Haemonchus contortus*) — A common internal parasite that can affect llamas and other ruminants. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always be calm and gentle around llamas, and never try to feed them without permission. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Llama? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Llama? 150-180 cm ### How much does Llama weigh? 130-200 kg ### How long does Llama live? 15-25 years ### How fast can Llama move? 65 km/h ### What does Llama eat? Llamas are plant-eaters that munch on grasses, leaves, and other vegetation. ### Where is Llama usually found? Mountain regions ### How does Llama hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Austin Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/austin-zoo) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Blank Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blank-park-zoo) — Iowa, US · Zoo - [Cosley Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cosley-zoo) — Illinois, US · Zoo - [Selig Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/selig-zoo) — California, US · Zoo - [ME's Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mes-zoo) — Indiana, US · Zoo - [Tierpark Weeze](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-weeze) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Zoo [View all places to see Llama](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/llama) ## Watch - [Play video: Llama](https://www.snappit.app/videos/llama) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=2z-JxCgfXhs) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Llama: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/llama)