Llama

Article By:

Curtin, Charles B. Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska.

Last reviewed:April 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.387800

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• Llama, published June 2014:Download PDF Get Adobe Acrobat Reader

Lama glama, a member of the camel family (Camelidae) found only in South America. The llama (see illustration) is an artiodactyl, or even-toed ungulate, belonging to the mammalian family Camelidae. It has two toes on each foot. The llama is a domesticated South American camelid and is found in the Andean highlands, particularly in Peru and Bolivia. The upper lip of the llama is cleft and prehensile, and the neck is long. The animal attains a maximum length of less than 2.4 m (8 ft) and a maximum weight of nearly 136 kg (300 lb). A single young is born after a gestation period of approximately 11 months. The maximum life span is about 20 years. Like other members of the camel family, the llama is herbivorous. It has 36 teeth, with a dental formula of I 1/3, C 1/1, Pm 3/3, M 3/3 × 2. It also lacks a gallbladder. Many interesting crosses have occurred among the different camel breeds in South America (see table). See also: Animal breeding; Artiodactyla; Camel; Mammalia; South America

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