Cotswold Camelids

After the rain of Friday, the sun at the weekend was a welcome relief as we had a couple coming for a walk with the llamas. We couldn’t have asked for a nicer day, clear blue skies and the Cotswolds looking rather smart in autumnal brown and green.

First up was to find a couple of llamas to take out. Recently we seem to have been taking Spud/Snowy & TwoTone so it was about time Latte and Peanut had a chance. Handily, they both came into the pen on the promise of hard food and were soon haltered, ready to go.

Once the guests arrived and we’d had llama introductions and the brief safety talk it was time to be off. Both Latte and Peanut know the route well and we ambled along answering the usual questions about the boys and enjoying the view under a blue sky.

Both boys set a good pace – and it seemed hardly any time before we we half-way round in the valley and stopping for a few more photos.  As we stood watching the buzzards wheeling above us, amazingly a butterfly flew past unconcerned that it was November!

Up through the valley, now deserted and very quite after spending much of the year full of sheep, a brief climb and we were back in the field.

For some a chance of a fond farewell —>

For the less lucky, there was a chance to meet the other llamas and our two alpaca boys, as well as watch Latte rolling once his head-collar was off.

A lovely walk, enjoyed by all.

Two Tone takes his responsibilities towards the alpaca lads very seriously. Yesterday he wouldn’t let them into the new pasture until the others had checked it out! Today he made them sit in the shade after having their lunch.

Spent a productive couple of hours cutting access into new field for the llamas.  Hard work, but now we can see what else needs doing, ie a lot!

I only learnt the other day that llamas can’t put their tongues out more than about 1/2 inch. This means that they can’t lick anything, and when they drink they suck the water up through their lips. More interesting is that once you know that, it gives an insight into their behaviour in other ways.

Mother llamas don’t lick their young – they can’t. They nuzzle them, hum at them, but that’s all. This means for one thing that they have to dry out by themselves when they’re born and hence why they arrive during the daytime. It’s pretty convenient for us breeders too!

Not being touched much as a cria also carries forward into adulthood. This is why llamas and alpacas, don’t like to be stroked. Unlike say cats, who are licked as kittens and so appreciate the gesture, llamas just don’t understand what you want. In fact they have to be taught to not shy away as part of their training.