Обична лама
- Females are induced ovulators and mate lying down—unusual for a large ungulate.
- The blood contains an unusually high number of red cells and haemoglobin binds oxygen efficiently, allowing work at high altitudes.
- Llama can interbreed with a camel through artificial insemination, and the hybrid is called a cama. Crossbreeding is possible only between a male dromedary camel and a female llama.
- Llama, unlike camels, does not have a hump. It has, like camels, fang-like incisors and calloused pads on the hoof soles, a result of similar adaptation to rocky ground.
- Llamas can carry 25–30 % of their body weight for 8–13 km.
- It spits foul-smelling cud at annoying people or rivals.
- If the load is too heavy the llama simply lies down and refuses to move—no punishment works until the weight is reduced.
- The llama combines stubbornness, high-altitude adaptation and cultural importance in the Andes.
- The milk is rich in phosphorus and calcium.
Старост
Llamas typically live for 15 to 25 years, with a maximum lifespan of 28 years and 11 months; the theoretical lifespan ranges from 28 years and 11 months to 63 years and 2 months. The species reaches sexual maturity between 1 year and 4 months and 4 years of age, and their eyes open at birth, as does the ability to walk. The embryo stage involves development inside the mother, who provides nourishment. The young, called cria, drinks its mother’s milk and grows rapidly on mountain pastures for a period of 1 day to 6 months. An adult llama can reproduce and perform work such as carrying loads, and this adult stage lasts from 2 to 30 years.
Фенотип
The embryo receives all necessary nutrients from the mother through the placenta. The young have soft and dense wool that protects them from the cold. Adult llamas have dense wool that protects them from the cold in the mountains, and the color can be white, beige, brown, or black. When angered or feeling threatened, the species can spit saliva and partially digested food. A long neck helps the animal reach plants from a height and is used for communication and warning. Each foot has two toes with soft pads, which assists in walking on mountain paths and prevents sinking into snow.
Физиологија
The height of the body ranges from 68 to 75 centimeters, and the length varies from 1.4 to 1.85 meters; the mass of llamas falls between 108.22 and 141.11 kilograms. During the young stage, body mass is between 9 and 35 kilograms, with a body length from 0.9 to 1.2 meters. The adult stage presents a body mass between 130 and 200 kilograms, and a body length from 1.5 to 1.85 meters.
Станиште
Llamas inhabit altitudes ranging from 2.3 kilometers to 4 kilometers above sea level and occupy flooded meadows, where water frequently inundates the land and there is abundant grass; desert and dry shrubland environments, which are very hot and dry with infrequent rainfall and cacti; mountain meadows, located high in the mountains and characterized by cold temperatures, plentiful grass, and shrubs; and temperate steppes with abundant grass and few trees, where rain occurs. The species lives on land, including terrestrial meadows and steppes, terrestrial grassy areas, and shrubland. Their climate preferences include cold deserts, which are very dry and cold with minimal snow and rainfall; cold steppes, which are dry with cold winters, abundant grass, and few trees; extremely dry conditions where rain is very rare, almost desert-like; cool summers with temperatures between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius; and cold, nearly dry conditions that persist throughout most of the year.
Склониште
Llamas inhabit open mountain pastures and do not have permanent or long-term shelters. The species does not utilize consistent or enduring shelters, instead using grass and hay for rest and protection from the sun.
Географија
Llamas are found across the biogeographical realms of Neotropics, Afrotropics, Nearctic, and Palearctic; the species inhabits dry puna ecosystems of the central Andes.
Храна
The llama is a herbivorous animal that grazes on grass, leaves, and young shoots of shrubs; its feeding strategy involves grazing and its diet includes grass, leaves, shrubs, hay, and plants. The species’ daily food requirement ranges from 1.5 kilograms to 3.5 kilograms. Young llamas consume milk. In some cultures, the animal is eaten, but it is not considered kosher.
Размножавање
Llamas reproduce sexually, always with fertilization and without generational changes, and the young are born live on land, not hatched from eggs or larvae; gestation lasts for about 11 months, from 11 months to 11 months and 1 week, and the female gives birth to a single offspring, representing a litter size of 1; the mother feeds and protects the young llama; the species reaches maturity from 2 to 3 years of age; the interval between reproduction periods is from 1 to 2 years; llamas inhabit and develop on land, outside of bodies of water.