If you own llamas, you surely have been asked this question or one similar to it, such as "What are they good for?" However, if you own llamas, you likely can't think of a life without them. If you don't own llamas, this chapter may provide a little insight into people you know who are a little crazy about llamas. One of the most important reasons for owning a llama is that they enrich and help you enjoy life. Llamas are just plain fun to own! Most people think they are beautiful, with their luxurious fur, large eyes and oversized eyelashes. Their looks, and particularly their tranquil attitude and behavior, make them interesting and pleasing to see. Their graceful movement is relaxing to watch and each one acts as if they are royalty. They display themselves as proud beings. Llamas do wonders for the person who is involved in the hustle and bustle of life. A few minutes with the llamas after work has a calming, soothing effect on the nerves. Also llamas are very useful. I love to pack into the high country of our western forests and wildernesses during the summer. So to me, one of the best things about owning llamas is that they are wonderful packers who will easily and contently pack about anything that we ask them to pack. I'm a hunter who hunts with llamas. Packing wild game is just another load to them, even to one who has only packed once or twice. They will pack up to 33% of their body weight and mostof our better packers weigh over 400 pounds so they can pack a lot of weight. Many can carry even more than the recommended amount for short distances. The entire family will enjoy packing into the wilderness, and during the summer, its a special treat that everyone will enjoy. They are always alert and seem to enjoy packing. They have remarkable eyesight and often spot game long before I do. We use this trait to good advantage when we are hunting. I have positioned some of them to watch the other side of a ridge where I hunt elk. I watch my side and then occasionally glance over at the llamas to see if they have spotted anything on the other side of the ridge.

Llamas are also one of the easiest animals to care for. Although you'll want to spend a lot of time with your llamas, their daily needs can easily be provided in only a few minutes. They are generally disease free, and they seldom require medical attention. Llamas are also economical to own. A mature adult will feed seven to ten days on a bale of hay. Since males start around $1,000 to $1,500 and can live between 20 and 30 years, the cost per year for purchasing and maintenance is very reasonable. When hay was selling for $40 a ton in our area, a friend of mine kept records and it was cheaper to feed three llamas than it was to feed his Brittany dog. Since their food requirements are low, a small suburban pasture can be used to provide grazing for two or three llamas.

Llamas are easily trained and most people can do a good job of training their own llama. If you're interested in packing with llamas, 4,500 - 6,000 years of experience packing in South America makes them a natural when it comes to packing. Llamas usually pack a load very well even on the first time in the mountains. We often begin packing in the mountains after having a saddle and panniers on them only once. Llamas are the easiest packing livestock to train and the safest to handle. Therefore, llamas make excellent 4-H projects and pets for children.

Llamas can be hauled in pickup stock racks, trailers, vans and camper tops. They quickly learn to load and generally lie down when you're driving. You can even train a llama not to mess in your trailer or van. A trained pack llama can jump into the bed of a four-wheel drive pickup with impressive agility and grace.

Llamas make good neighbors. Almost any type of fence will keep them home. A farmer friend of mine indicates that he has owned all types of livestock, and the llama is the easiest on fences of all of them. Llamas are also quiet; even with a large herd, you will seldom hear any sounds. They also do not have an odor. Their pellet feces do not smell and can even be used as an indoor fertilizer for house plants.

Llamas are also good investments. The economics of llamas has probably attracted the most people to llamas. Currently most people are making over 20% annually on their investments. Demand generally exceeds supplies, thus an investment in female llamas pays big returns.

Another reason for owning llamas is their wool. Llama wool can be obtained by shearing or by brushing the wool. Clothes made out of llama wool are luxurious and warm. Sheep and goat producers purchase llamas because they are extremely effective guards against predators. Many sheep breeders lost over a hundred lambs per year prior to purchasing a llama to guard their sheep. After purchasing a llama, their predator losses dropped to zero.

I can't imagine a life without llamas. In the winter, it's a special treat to drive into our barn area to feed llamas where we keep our geldings and young studs and see the males charge round and round the truck. I also can't imagine not being greeted by Himalaya each time he sees me. He comes to us, smells our face and walks along beside us every time we go into the llama area.

A word of caution is necessary about llamas! People just don't own llamas; they usually become very attracted to and involved with their llamas. This attraction isn't something that is easily explained, but it quickly occurs. I'm sure you'll find that llamas will greatly enhance your enjoyment. This book is co- dedicated to the growing number of people who are owned by llamas. If you're not one of these lucky folks, we hope that you soon will be.

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