Admin Table of Contents
How are llamas used in the Andes?
Pack Animals (Their wild relatives are guanacos and vicuñas). Native peoples have used llamas as pack animals for centuries. Pack trains of llamas, which can include several hundred animals, move large amounts of goods over even the very rough terrain of the Andes. Llamas are willing pack animals but only to a point.
What adaptation do llamas have?
The high concentration of hemoglobin in their blood helps llamas to survive in a high-altitude environment where there is little oxygen. The thick fur of llamas helps to protect them against animal bites.
Do llamas live in the Andes?
Most llamas today live in the high Andes Mountains of western South America. They can be found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and especially Peru. It is believed that llamas may be the domesticated descendants of the wild guanaco.
Why are llamas important to the people of the Andes?
Llamas were the Incas’ most important domestic animal, providing food, clothing and acting as beasts of burden. They were also often sacrificed in large numbers to the gods.
What is a predator to a llama?
The most common predators of llamas are coyotes, mountain lions, and ocelots.
How are Llamas adapted to live in high altitude?
Llamas live in high altitude places, such as the Andean Mountains, and have adapted a high hemoglobin content in their bloodstream. Instead of circular, their red blood cells are oval shaped, which helps them to survive in environments where there is little oxygen. Llamas have unique feet.
Where does a llama live in the world?
Llamas live in high altitude places, such as the Andean Mountains, and have adapted a high hemoglobin content in their bloodstream.
What makes a llama different from other animals?
Llamas have unique feet. Instead of hooves, each foot has two huge toenails with broad leathery pads that enable them to navigate a variety of terrain. Their soft and leathery soles cause less ecological impact. The llamas’ thick coats protect them from wind, snow and rain, and also prevent animal bites.
How old does a Llama have to be to breed?
Cud is a mouthful of swallowed food that is regurgitated from the first stomach. Because of these special features the llama makes an excellent packing animal for the people that live in the remote areas of the Andes Mountains. A female llama begins to breed when she’s about a 1 year old.