Fun Llama Facts for Kids

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  • Llamas are mammals.
  • Llamas are herbivores meaning they only eat plants.
  • Llamas eat grass, ferns and hay.  They can eat up to 6 pounds of food a day.
  • Llamas only need to drink a small amount of water.
  • Llamas live in the Andes mountain region along the west coast of South America in the countries of Peru, Argentina, Bolivia and Chili.
  • It is believed that 40 million years ago llamas lived in North America. Then 3 million years ago the llamas started to migrate to South America.  At the end of the last ice age between 10,000-12,000 llamas became completely extinct in North America.
  • You can now see llamas in Zoos and on some farms.
  • Llamas became domesticated animals in Peru 4,000-5,000 years ago.  It is one of the world’s oldest domesticated animals.
  • Llamas are not found in the wild anymore.  They are descendants of the wild guanaco.
  • Llamas are related to camels.  One of the main differences between a llama and a camel is that a llama does not have a hump.
  • Llamas can live between 15-30 years.
  • Llama’s are tall and can grow to be 6ft.
  • A full grown llama can weigh between 280-500 pounds.
  • A llama’s feet have two toenails and a soft leather like pad on the bottom.
  • Llamas can carry 25%-30% of their body weigh.
  • Llamas are often used to carry loads.
  • Llamas are covered in wool not hair.
  • Their wool can be a variety of colors including gray, black, white and tan.  Their wool can be a solid color or come in many patterns.
  • Llamas wool is used to make clothing. blankets, hats and scarves.
  • Some people eat llama meat.
  • Mother llamas are pregnant for 11 1/2 months.
  • They give birth standing up to usually one baby called a cria.
  • Crias weigh between 18-30 pounds when they are born.
  • A llama becomes full grown at 4 years old.
  • Llamas are social animals and live in groups called herds.
  • Llamas communicate with their tails, ears and sounds.  Humming is a common sound llamas make.
  • Llamas have an excellent sense of smell, eyesight and hearing.
  • Llamas are smart animals and can be easily trained.
  • Llamas are known to spit when they feel threatened.
  • Predators to the llama are coyotes, pumas and humans.

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