Llama Mania : Camels’ Cousins Growing in Popularity as Pets

When Helen Bodington drives her van on the freeways of Northern California, her 350-pound llama, Canelo, usually goes along for the ride.

“I don’t think we’ve caused an accident yet,” she said recently at her San Anselmo home, wearing a blue polo shirt with a llama head silk-screened on the pocket.

Llamas, the doe-faced South American cousin to camels, vicunas, alpacas and guanacos, are becoming more popular as pets, like Canelo. But they also are valued for their thick wool and for their use as pack and show animals.

Sam Granato, general manager of the International Llama Assn. in Washington, estimates that there are now 10,000 llamas in the United States, compared to about 3,200 in 1982. Most are in the West.

Cheaper to Maintain

Why keep a 400-pound pony-sized creature as a pet? Many owners believe llamas are smarter than dogs or horses--and cheaper to maintain.

Llama breeder Fred Bauer finds that there’s “a wonderful, peaceful feeling” being around the regal-looking beasts, which are good with children and often pull them around on carts.

Bodington said Canelo eats field grass and maybe a bale of alfalfa a month and happily lives on a quarter-acre of land at her suburban home about 20 miles north of San Francisco.

The long-necked animals, which look like camels minus the humps, also can carry about 80 to 100 pounds all day during back-packing trips and their wool sells for about $2 an ounce, Bodington said.

Llamas are basically aloof and must be taught to accept the touch of humans, said Bodington, who has trained about 15 of them. But they also are very gentle and quiet.

A Humdinger

“They have a charming hum,” she said, sitting in her living room surrounded by a small stuffed llama toy, a llama book bag and the latest issue of the International Camelid Journal.

“It comes at different times that indicate different attitudes,” she said. “Mine has a freeway hum.”

As the demand for llamas increases, so does their value. A male llama that sold for $800 four years ago could sell for twice that today, Granato said. And a female worth $2,000 then might cost $10,000 or more.

Granato said llamas can live as long as 25 years, grow as large as 400 pounds, stand as tall as six feet and thrive in any climate except extreme, constant heat.

Llamas first were imported to the United States by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst for his San Simeon estate in the 1930s. But business really started to boom about 10 years ago.

“Anybody who has been in the llama business for six or seven years is an old-timer,” Bodington said.

Llama breeding has increased because importation has been sharply restricted due to the threat of foot and mouth disease. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 336 llamas were allowed into the United States in 1984, but only 24 cleared the border the following year.

Although there is no standard on which to judge the beauty and value of llamas, the exotic-looking, stout creatures seem to be more desirable than their fine-boned, deer-like brothers. Breeders also consider striking color combinations of white and brown more valuable than solids.

Female Brings $51,000

One woolly female recently sold for $51,000, said Bauer, who owns the five-acre Lynx Llamas ranch in Petaluma, about 45 miles north of San Francisco.

Bauer started breeding in 1977 and now has a herd of about 50.

He said he first was introduced to llamas at the Bronx Zoo when he was a child.

“Typically, for a zoo llama, I got covered with spit,” he said. “But it didn’t turn me off.”

Llamas rarely spit, Bauer said in defense of the beasts, and those that do usually have been raised in zoos or carnivals and are reacting to long-term abuse.

Although Bauer loves his exotic charges, several trends in the industry disturb him. There should be practical standards for judging value, such as temperament, straight legs and a broad chest and shoulders. And the fast-growing llama breeding business must branch out more.

Flashy Looks the Fad

“A certain kind of flashy looks is what counts and utilitarian values don’t count anymore,” said Bauer, adding that dryers and even hair mousse is used to change the animal’s appearance for shows.