Humans are rather dumb when it comes to figuring out how smart animals are. After all, we are barely able to determine how smart our own species is. Remember all those Mensa and Buzzfeed IQ tests you found on the internet? Well, many scientists would argue they are rubbish. But let’s focus on animals for…
Pedro Cieza de León, a Spanish conquistador and chronicler from the 16th century, described llamas as animals “with long legs and a neck of the length and shape of that of a camel”. Later on, in the 19th century, a French writer, Flora Tristan, admired the llamas’ handsome physique, noting how their “long majestic necks”…
Llamas are very social animals that communicate with a complex set of signals. This form of communication, just like with human language, serves multiple vital functions. Llamas communicate through visual, auditory, and chemical signals. All of these subtle signals need to transmit some social information and one signal can have more than one connotation. In…
Similar to many other animals, llamas do have tails. A llama’s tail is a flexible organ attached to the torso of the animal. It is made up of little pieces of bones connected by cartilage, covered with muscle tissue, skin, and fur. A llama’s tail plays an important role in its everyday functioning. Llama uses…
Llama’s digestive system is one of the most interesting of all of its organ systems. It has some of the most unique characteristics that separate it from other animals, especially ruminants. Llama evolved in harsh conditions where not much food was available. And the little food there was, had a low nutritional value. The unique…
Llamas and other South American camelids have a very special digestive system. Some animal scientists even claim that llamas digest food 25% more efficiently than some animals. The llama’s stomach is a multi-chambered structure that stores, breaks down, and digests food. Llamas are foregut fermenters. This means that their large and complex stomachs with rumen…
Like almost all mammals, llamas need to spend some time each day hibernating to function properly. And just like their relatives, the alpacas, llamas sleep by laying down on their stomachs or their sides. They also prefer to take naps during the day. Some llamas will even doze on their backs. Llamas will fold their…
Despite living at high altitudes and not having the longest legs, llamas are still fast runners. Like other animals, llamas rely on speed to run away from danger and can reach a top speed of 40 mph (65 km/h). When it comes to long distances, llamas can run at a steady speed of around…
