Llama

 =The Llama=

The llama is a curious creature. It is not found in the wild since it was domesticated from the guanaco by the Incas 4,500 years ago. Once they domesticated these animals, the Incas used them primarily as beasts-of-burden. The llama is capable of carrying loads over 200 pounds through rugged mountain terrain at elevations of 5,000 feet. Their blood has a greater affinity for oxygen than most other mammals allowing them to perform well in high altitudes where oxygen levels are low. Llamas have also been used for food, their fleece for clothing, their hide for sandals, their fat to make candles, their hair braided for rope, and even their dried feces has been burned for fuel!

References: http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/alt-ag/llama.htm http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/other/llama/ animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/**llama**.html

- Andrew Clifton

Llamas are considered to be very dull animals when in fact they have many uses to the world around us. The Llama originated from the central plains of North America. Its cousin is the camel which generally lives in the hotter regions. The llama, with its wool is meant for the cooler regions. Llamas aren’t just of white color as people think, but come in a range of different colors. Their average life spans are usually 25 years. Llamas have woolen coats suitable for living in cold territories and their wool and meat are used by humans for personal needs. They are social animals, so they often need the company of other llamas, and are gentle creatures. Llamas can withstand extreme weathers and food quality because they are built inherently tough. You can feed this llama anything too, because they’ll eat virtually anything that’s deemed edible! But be careful about them spitting on you, they have a habit of doing that!

References: http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/alt-ag/llama.htm

 -Eshawn Sharma