Last Updated on March 11, 2022 by Travels with Kids

While they do have a reputation for their quick-tempers and spitting, there are so many interesting Llama facts for kids and adults to learn!  These domesticated South American camelids have been used for meat and as pack animals by the Andean people for centuries.

They are often mistaken for their camelid cousin, the alpaca.  Read on to find out fun facts about Llamas for kids and adults and also how to tell the difference between a llama and an alpaca.

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Fun Llama Facts for Kids and Adults

Llamas are Camelids

Just like alpacas and camels, llamas belong to the biological group called Camelidae.  Camelids are herbivores with long necks and legs and funny toes.  They are not hooved animals.  They are two-toed animals with toenails and soft footpads.

Llamas are Pretty Large Animals

One of the main differences between a llama and an alpaca is its size.  Llamas are bigger.  A llama can weigh anywhere from 250-450 pounds and carry about 30% of its body weight.  This brings us to our next fun facts about llamas.

How Tall are Llamas?

Llamas are also pretty tall, especially in comparison to alpacas!  A typical, adult llama can stand anywhere from 4 to 6 feet tall at the top of its head.  So it is about as tall, or taller than an adult human.

Llamas Were Domesticated as Pack Animals

Because llamas can carry around 30% of their body weight, they make great pack animals.  Llamas were domesticated some 5,000 years ago in the Peruvian highlands to be used as such.  Llamas are also such smart animals that they know their carrying limits.  If you try to overload a llama it will not move.  It will simply lie down or refuse to move.

Llama Poop Doesn’t Stink

Llama poop, or llama beans as the farmers refer to it, is almost odorless.  Not only that, but llama poop is super beneficial.  The Inca used to burn llama poop for fuel.  Nowadays, llama poop makes amazing, eco-friendly fertilizer.  How is that for a cool llama fun facts?

What do Llamas Eat?

Llamas are herbivores.  Similar to cows, llamas eat grass.  Also like cows, they regurgitate their food and chew on their cud.  Llamas diet can consist of many different types of grasses and plants.  This could included hay, alfalfa, blackberries, dandelions, and basically any other grass or plants they can find.

One of the llama fun facts is that they can actually survive with very little water.

Can Llamas Swim?

Yes, llamas can swim!  They enjoy wading in shallow water to cool off on hot days.  Unlike their cousins the camel who cannot swim.

Llamas are Natural Protectors

Perhaps one of the coolest llamas fun facts is that they make excellent livestock guardians.  People raise them to protect their others animals such as goats and sheep from predators.

In their natural environment, the dominant male llamas would be in charge of guarding a group of females from predators.  Today farmers use them as livestock guardians.  Because they are pack animals they bond quickly to their livestock companions.  Llamas have a keen instinct and are natural alert to their surroundings which keeps them constantly on the look-out for would-be predators that would threaten their pack!  When a predator is detected, the llama will send out a loud startling call called a “rusty hinge”.  If this isn’t enough to scare of the intruder they will fight it off by kicking and spitting at it!  That has to be one of the coolest llama facts for kids and adults alike.

More Fun Facts about Llamas

Llamas Don’t Bite

They don’t bite, but they could spit at you.  Llamas are generally docile creatures but one of their most known (and quirky) characteristics is their spitting.  However, if a llama is used to people and does not feel threatened it is unlikely to spit.  There are many llamas in Peru that have been habituated to humans.  For example, the llamas around Machu Picchu are usually well-behaved and not known for spitting.

Speaking of Machu Picchu, if you want to know more, read our post Visiting Machu Picchu with Kids packed with lots of great information.

Llamas Spit for Several Different Reasons

Llamas are known for spitting when they feel threatened, either by a human, another llama, or a predator.  A llama spit attack can be quite vicious and smells super gross.  Llamas will also spit at younger llamas to show dominance, especially when food is concerned.  A female llama will also spit at a male llama when she is not interested in his advances.

Llamas Can Be Cross-Bred with Alpacas

Interestingly, llamas and alpacas can be bred together to make a sort of llama/alpaca hybrid called a huarizo.  Haurizos tend to be smaller than a llama but with fur like an alpaca.

In the wild, huarizos end up being sterile.  This means that they cannot mate with other huarizos and produce babies.

How Long do Llamas Live?

Well, that depends on many factors.  However, the average is about 20 years.  If we are trying to be precise about these fun facts about llamas, it is best to say anywhere from 15 – 25 years.

Llama Vs Alpaca – How to Tell Them Apart

While they are camelid cousins, llamas often get mistaken for alpacas and vise versa.  Since we are learning all these llamas fun facts, it is important to know the difference between the two.  So how exactly do you tell a llama and alpaca apart you ask?  Here are some things to look for:

• As we learned in the fun facts about llamas above, llamas are big.  They are about twice the size as an alpaca.  One thing to look for when trying to determine a llama vs an alpaca is too look at how big it is.
• Another thing to look for to tell the difference between them is the size and shape of their ears.  Alpacas have short and pointy ears.  However, llamas have longer ears that stand strand up.  If you ever look at pictures of the two, you can most definitely see a difference in their ears.
• You can also tell them about by their fibrous coat.  Alpacas have a finer fiber.  That is why alpaca fiber is sought after and used for knitting and weaving.
• Lastly, and one of the more disgusting fun facts about llamas, is they are quick to spit.  Yes, that is right, spit.  Llamas are known for the quick temper and will spit any time they feel the slightest bit threatened.  Whereas alpacas rarely spit, and only as a last resort when they feel extremely threatened.  Eww.  We told you it was a really gross llama fact for kids.

If you really want to understand the differences, see our post Alpaca Vs Llama -What’s the Difference Between A Llama and an Alpaca?

Also, if you want to learn more about alpacas read our Fun Facts About Alpacas for Kids and Curious Adults.

Here are some recommended books on alpacas and llamas.  Click each one for current prices on Amazon.

The Verdict – Fun Llama Facts for Kids and Inquisitive Adults

As you can see there are so many Fun Llama Facts to learn about these adorable, and smart, creatures.  As with any creature, they have their own personalities, are pack animals, and can be habituated to being around humans.  And, as we learned in the llama fun facts about, they make excellent livestock guardians.

What is your experience with these amazing animals?  Do you have any facts about llamas for kids to share? Let us know in the comments below.

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