 Most llamas are laid back creatures who don't make a fuss when their careperson is late. They can occasionally get pushy over over food and personal space, but otherwise they are gentle and make good friends.
Berserk Llamas:
Beserk llamas are often young males that were cuddled too much when they were young. Once grown, they are often very aggressive, and may attack humans unexpectadly and violently. When young, cuddled llamas bond quickly to humans, and when grown, are not able to develoup proper relations with other llamas. When this llama becomes mature, he percieves humans as competition and attempt to fight them, just as he would normally fight with other male llamas over mates. If a llama is supposed to be berserk, one should never bend down in front of him. Bending over is a sign of submission, and the lamma will assume that he is in charge. Because these llamas are a danger not only to the owner, but the casual passer by, the should be considered very dangerous. There is no cure for this abherrent behavior, and though it may seem inhumane, the best thing one can do is end the poor beast's life. Remember that the syndrome is /not/ the fault of the llama, but the fault of whomever spoiled it as a youngster. The best advice I can give is to treat young llamas like proddy male riders...respect 'em, but keep your distance.
Appropriate body language, both human and llama:
Stomping a foot - is a sign of aggression. Don't do it around a llama unless you want to be spat on.
Forward facing ears - show that a llama is focoused or interested in something.
Pinned back ears - are a "stay away" signal. They won't spit if approached, but they /will/ if provoked. These ears just mean that the llama wants you to respect his personal space.
Ears back and head tilted up - means that you should stay /away/. This is a serious warning, and if the offender doesn't back off, they are going to get spat on.
Spitting - performs several functions for the llama, but he doesn't like to do it. Spitting tastes horrible, and he will only do it when provoked or extremely angry...hence the warning.
Tail up - means an alert llama.
Curled forward tail - no aggression
Female wagging tail in another llamas face - means back off, I don't feel like mating right now.
Male wagging tail - expresses excitement
Neck and head down - no aggression
Standing tall - means that the llama feels important and dominant
Screaming vocalizations - agitation, anger, and irritation. Often includes spitting.
Aggressive llamas will read a human's body posture in accordance with the above, and will attack if he thinks he can.
Llamas and kidlets:
Assuming the kidlets in question are calm and not hyperactive and noisy, llamas understand that they are not a threat and are normally very trusting.
Llamas and unfamiliar people:
Llamas are generally nervous around people and animals they do not know, and will take their time getting used to them. Strangers should not rush llamas or make threatening gestures in their presence. Also, a stranger should respect an unfamiliar llama's personal space very carefully. If warning signals are given, respect them and keep your difference.
Training:
Simple commands like "stand" and "stay" work best. You can make up words if you like, but be consistant and firm with each command. The llama doesn't care what you say, as long as you say the same thing each time. Be sure not to commend your llama unless he has actually followed your command, unless you want him begging for a treat every time he poops on your boots.
Fighting with other animals:
Llamas may become resentful of other male animals that they spend a lot of time with...specifically male rams in an ovine herd that they might be watching over. This is normal llama behavior even though humans may not understand it, but if problems persist, the animals should be separated.
Llamas fighting with eachother:
It is commong for male llamas to fight with eachother, and the skirmishes rarely result in serious injury of either llama. Fights may involve males bumping necks, screaming, and biting at eachother's knees. When a llama successfully bites another's knee, the hit llama will be forced to lie down, and therefore, lose. Fights can establish dominance as well as whom gets to mate with a certain female. Attacks on humans /should not/ be condoned under any circumstances.
Single-purpose llamas:
Llamas should be trained to perform a specific task...not several. A llama taught to guard sheep will not make a friendly pack animal...and the other way around. Llamas raised to guard sheep are often defensive when they think a human might be threatening their flock, and will let you know if they do. All kinds of llamas may be sheared...Being Sheered doesn't really count as a "skill" for llamas.
Llama kisses:
Individual llamas will come up with different friendly ways to greet humans. Some will simply sniff about the face...while others may press their nose against yours. This is not unusual and should be considered a /good/ behavior for a llama to have...unless it's particularly embarrassing or gross.
Llamas with runners:
Llamas are content with runner companions, though they tend to prefer those of their own kind for friends. Runners on the other hand, are usually rather disturbed upon their first meeting with a llama. Runners will generally consider themselves the boss...and in some cases, they may kick the llama forcefully. This can be serious if the llama is hit in the leg, so the two animals should be introduced carefully.
Shearing llamas:
First things first, make sure the fleece is clean before shearing. Llamas behave differently when it comes to being sheared...some are cooperative, while others jump all over the place and are very antsy. The llama should be roped to a solid base before shearing so that it can't escape. Also, llamas tend to get jumpier when it comes time to clip the rear. You can avoid this completely and just leave fleece there, or you can take the plunge and attempt to be as considerate as possible to the llama being sheared. The safest way to shear is to stand on one side of the llama, reach over the back, and shear fleece off of the other side. The llama is usually calmer this way, and he cannot kick you as easily. Tie off the said halter fairly short so that the llama can't thrash about during the process. Approach the animal carefully on the first shearing so that he may become used to the idea. |
