Living in a pretty rural area, I see lots of farm animals like pigs, sheep, cows and chickens, but when I stumbled upon a pair of llamas in someone’s yard unexpectedly, it felt unreal. When I pointed my camera at them, they turned their heads curiously to look at me and pose for a beautiful picture.
Llamas are native to the Andes mountains in South America, primarily in Bolivia, Peru and Chile. However, since they were domesticated between 4,000 to 6,000 years ago, they have spread far beyond South America. Today, llamas can be found all over the world including Europe, North America and Australia.
What makes llamas look so unique is that they are extremely well-adapted to survive in the Andean highlands. Their thick fur keeps them warm from the cold in high altitudes and their split hooves allow them to prance gracefully through the rocky terrain. They are herbivores, so they eat lots of grasses, hay, shrubs and an occasional vegetable treat if they’re lucky. While llamas were once wild, it’s important to note that they are now entirely domesticated, which means they are completely dependent on humans to survive.
Thanks to their importance, culturally and economically, llamas are well-protected before the law and are thriving as a species. Tourists line up to take selfies with them in Machu Picchu, and artisans rely on their wool to create textiles to sell. Their status as a cultural icon and economic asset ensures that they are well-cared for and looked after, so they will be sticking around for awhile.
