NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Guard Llama

A guard llama is typically a single llama used in farming to protect other species from predators. Usually, a castrated male or gelding is used to protect sheep, alpacas or goats. Binomial name Lama glama (Linnaeus, 1758) The llama (Lama glama) is a large camelid that originated in North America and then later on moved on to South America. ... This snapping turtle is trying to make a meal of a Canada goose, but the goose is too wary. ...

Predators threaten many types of livestock: sheep, goats, alpacas, cattle, poultry, and others. Predation can be very costly to a livestock operation, impacting profits and perplexing farmers. Llamas are being effectively and economically used to reduce losses due to coyotes, dogs, and other threatening animals.^[1] Sheep are commonly bred as livestock. ... Species See text. ... For the animal, see goat. ... Binomial name Lama pacos (Linnaeus, 1758) The Alpaca is one of two domesticated breeds of South American camel-like ungulates, derived from the wild guanaco. ... Binomial name Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758 Cattle (called cows in vernacular usage, kine archaic, or kye as the Scots plural of cou) are domesticated ungulates, a member of the subfamily Bovinae of the family Bovidae. ... Ducks amongst other poultry The Poultry-dealer, after Cesare Vecellio. ... Binomial name Canis latrans Say, 1823 A coyote (Canis latrans) is a member of the Canidae (the dog family) and a relative of the domestic dog. ... The term Dogs, when used by itself can refer to: The plural of dog Dogs, a song by Pink Floyd This is a disambiguation page â€” a list of articles associated with the same title. ...

General

Guard llamas may defend against predators in many ways. Llamas are instinctively alert and aware of their surroundings, and may draw attention to a menace by making a startling alarm call. They may walk or run toward the invader, and even chase, paw at, or kick it. Some llamas may herd the animals they are guarding into a tight group or lead them away from danger. Others may stand apart from the group, watching intently. Each guard llama may have a somewhat different way of protecting a herd or flock, but still be effective. While llamas have been known to kill intruders (including coyotes, woodchucks, and muskrats), they should not be considered attack animals. Also, they are generally effective against single intruders only, not packs. This article is about the mammal. ... [[{{{diversity_link}}}|Diversity]] {{{diversity}}} Binomial name Ondatra zibethicus (Linnaeus, 1766) Trinomial name {{{trinomial}}} Type Species {{{type_species}}} {{{subdivision_ranks}}} Muskrat range (native range in red, introduced range in green) Synonyms {{{synonyms}}} Muskrat lodge, middle Patuxent River marsh, Maryland The Muskrat or Musquash (Ondatra zibethicus), the only species in genus Ondatra, is a large...

Effectiveness

Most research on the effectiveness of guard llamas has been done with sheep. However, there is no reason to believe they will be any less effective with any other herd species to which the guard llama has bonded. A 1990 study by Iowa State University found that 80 percent of sheep producers with guard llamas rated them as effective or very effective. The study found that average rates of loss to predators fell from 21 to 7 percent after the introduction of a guard llama. ^[2] In other studies, over half of guard llamas completely eliminated losses due to predators. By saving animals, guard llamas also save their owners money; how much depends on the value of the livestock they are protecting.

Selection

Gelded males are the most common guard llamas. Females can also make effective guardians, but are usually more costly because of their reproductive value. Whole males are much more likely to injure the livestock they are protecting, by attempting to breed them. Guard llamas should be at least 2 years of age before they are expected to protect other livestock. This allows them to mature physically and emotionally, as well as develop their natural territorial instincts. A potential guard llama may be introduced to the species they are going to guard at a younger age, but this is not necessary for bonding and effective guarding to take place.

Llamas placed as guardians often have independent personalities, and may not be particularly people-friendly. However, any guard llama should be trained to accept a halter, lead, and tolerate basic care. A llama that is aggressive towards humans is not a good candidate for guarding livestock because they may attempt to protect the flock against its human owners. A guard llama needs to be in generally good health. It must be able to see, hear, forage, and move properly. Llamas that are expected to protect large flocks or herds on rougher terrain may need to be in better physical condition than those used to guard smaller areas.

Care

Llamas require little special care. They graze and eat hay along with the animals they protect. Depending on the type and quality of forage, a grain or mineral supplement may be necessary, but the small quantity a single llama eats is inexpensive. Llamas are resistant to many diseases that affect other livestock. However, they are susceptible to certain parasites and should be wormed regularly, vaccinated annually, and observed for signs of infection or infestation. Llamas should be sheared each spring to keep them cool in the summertime. In winter, they need little more than a lean-to for wind protection. The only other regular care required is toenail trimming 2-4 times per year.

References

Additional reading

See also

Categories: Stub | Dog types | Working dogs ... Binomial name Lama glama (Linnaeus, 1758) The llama (Lama glama) is a large camelid that originated in North America and then later on moved on to South America. ... Binomial name Equus asinus Linnaeus, 1758 For other uses, see Donkey (disambiguation). ...

External links

Categories: Camelids | Livestock Species Lama glama Lama guanicoe Lama pacos Vicugna vicugna Camelus dromedarius Camelus bactrianus The four llamas and two camels are camelids: members of the biological family Camelidae, the only family in the suborder Tylopoda. ... Species Camelus bactrianus Camelus dromedarius A camel is either of the two species of wolf living in the serengeti. ... Binomial name Camelus bactrianus Linnaeus, 1758 The Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) is a large even-toed ungulate native to the steppes of eastern Asia. ... Binomial name Camelus dromedarius Linnaeus, 1758 The Dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) is a large even-toed ungulate native to northern Africa and western Asia, and is the best-known member of the camel family. ... Species Lama glama Lama pacos Lama huonaeus Lama, the modern genus name for a small group of closely allied animals, which, before the Spanish conquest of the Americas, were the only domesticated ungulates of the continent. ... Binomial name Vicugna pacos (Linnaeus, 1758) The Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is a domesticated breed of South American camel-like ungulates, derived from the wild vicuÃ±a. ... Binomial name Lama guanicoe (MÃ¼ller, 1776) The Guanaco (Lama guanicoe) (sometimes spelled Guanco) is an elegant, fine-boned lamoid animal that stands approximately 3 ft 6 (1. ... Binomial name Lama glama (Linnaeus, 1758) The llama (Lama glama) is a large camelid that originated in North America and then later on moved on to South America. ... Binomial name Vicugna vicugna (Molina, 1782) The vicuÃ±a (Vicugna vicugna) is one of two wild South American camelids, along with the guanaco, which lives in the high Andes. ... In biology, hybrid has three meanings. ... A Cama is a hybrid between a camel and a llama. ...

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