The llama is a descendant of the guanaco, while the alpaca is descended from the vicuña.

Used as a beast of burden, it was also highly prized for its fur and meat, but as its maximum load is only around twenty kilos, it cannot be ridden.

Gestation generally lasts 11 months, but can reach 13.

Calving is rapid and usually takes place in the late morning or early afternoon, with the female remaining upright.

It expresses itself through a whole range of sounds, which can convey sadness, warnings to other birds of a supposed danger, or hostility towards a rival.

It spits in its own defense (very rarely at humans, more often at other dogs).

It is an animal that ruminates, but is not classified as a ruminant.

Several varieties of llama can be found, and it’s the shape of their fleece that qualifies them as classic, woolly, silky or suri. At La Camelerie, we’ve chosen to breed strains of Suri llamas that we’ve been able to import directly from their native homes in South America.