Overview
Llama appears on the Exotic Wildlife Association species list as Llama — ESA: Not Listed; CITES: N/A. [1]
Native range
Llamas have a native range all along the Andes mountains, but are not found in the wild. Lama glama can be found commercially throughout North America, Europe and Australia. [2]
Size
130–155 kg (average 140 kg) (ADW range). [2]
Lifespan
10 to 20 years (captivity, range); 16 years (captivity, average); 10 to 20 years (captivity, typical). [2]
Breeding & gestation
Gestation 10–12 months; offspring per birth: 0–1; females mature at 2 to 3 years. [2]
Temperament & social structure
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Habitat needs
The Andean highlands, especially the Altiplano of southeast Peru and western Bolivia, is the natural habitat of L. glama. These plateaus are covered with low growth, including various shrubs stunted trees and grasses. ADW biomes: mountains. Elevation range 2300–4000 m. [2]
Where they thrive (Texas / US)
Llamas have a native range all along the Andes mountains, but are not found in the wild. Lama glama can be found commercially throughout North America, Europe and Australia. [2]
Space per animal
No verified species-specific stocking rate was found. Carrying capacity depends on rainfall, range condition and competing grazers—get a range/stocking assessment (NRCS or Texas A&M AgriLife).
Housing & shelter
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Fencing
No primary-source fencing standard was verified for this species; get containment advice from an experienced keeper or veterinarian.
Natural diet
Llamas browse on low shrubs, lichens, and mountain vegetation. Llamas make use of native shrubs and grasses including Parastrephia sp., Baccharis sp. (shrubs) as well as Munroa sp., Eragrostis sp., and Triseobromus sp. (grasses). ADW diet type: herbivore, folivore. [2]
Feed & supplementation
No verified species-specific diet formulation was found for this page; follow a veterinarian or nutritionist.
Common health issues & parasites
No verified species-specific health list for this page; consult a veterinarian experienced with this species.
Vet care & vaccination
No vaccines are labeled for this species in the US; any vaccination protocol is extra-label and should be set by a veterinarian experienced with exotic hoofstock. (No specific protocol was verified for this page.)
Handling & capture
Capture myopathy—muscle damage from pursuit, restraint and transport—is often fatal in wild ungulates. Minimize chase time and stress, avoid hot conditions, use appropriate chemical immobilization by a vet, and release/unload quickly. [3]
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Domesticated form (not assessed separately); guanaco, its wild ancestor (Lama guanicoe): Least Concern. [4]
Legal notes (general info, not legal advice)
General information, not legal advice. USDA APHIS licensing under the Animal Welfare Act applies to dealers and exhibitors; check USDA and your state wildlife and animal-health agencies before buying, moving or selling. [5][6]
Sources
- Exotic Wildlife Association – Endangered Species List (ESA status & CITES appendix)
- Animal Diversity Web (Univ. of Michigan) – Lama glama
- Breed et al. 2019, Understanding capture myopathy (Conservation Physiology, PMC6612673)
- IUCN Red List – Lama glama (assessment page)
- TPWD Outdoor Annual – Nongame, Exotic & Other Species (exotic status in Texas)
- USDA APHIS – Animal Welfare Act licensing & registration
Figures are taken from the numbered sources; items marked "not verified" could not be confirmed from a primary source and are intentionally left blank. Husbandry guidance is general—confirm with an exotic-animal veterinarian.