Please note, if you or anyone you may visit these sites with, are sensitive to natural/farming photographs and information, many of these are detailed webpages for farmers, breeders, and those looking for how-to information about becoming breeders:

• both male and female llamas make good guard animals, but gelded males are often the choice because they are larger and less costly, plus safer than intact males.

  • https://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/guardian-llamas-zbcz1309/

• Llama, alpaca, and vicuna are part of the lamoid species. Alpaca fleece is coveted for it’s soft, lightweight yet strong, and impressive insulating, factors. Llama fleece is generally coarser than that of alpaca. Alpaca are smaller in stature than llama. Alpacas weigh an average of 140 lbs. while llama a more in the range of 250 lbs.

  • https://www.dictionary.com/e/alpaca-vs-llama/

• Tri-State neighbor had some very specific and informative information about the camelids. Intact males are called studs, but castrated males are referred to as geldings. Llama and alpaca babies that are under the age of six months are called cria, while juveniles are called tuis. Alpaca are generally raised for their fiber, but llamas are more often kept as meat and pack animals, as well as for protection. Llamas have a longer face and ears with less topknot hair than alpacas.

  • https://agupdate.com/tristateneighbor/news/livestock/vet-report---caring-for-camelids-llamas-and-alpacas/article_abf82eb8-0ae3-11e9-a99a-a35766479a5e.html#:~:text=Intact%20male%20llamas%20and%20alpacas,which%20means%20lay%20down%20sternally.

• There are many plants, algae and fungi, as well as pesticides and herbicides that are toxic to llamas and alpacas but I didn’t want to “kill” poor Kris Kringle, Pacca, or any of the herd. By the same token, I didn’t want Rose to bring a treat that could be harmful to the critters. Who knew that eating large amounts of grain can cause serious health issues, or worse, to llama? John would not have allowed Rose to feed cherries, chocolate, or even a potato to his fuzzies or she could have killed them. OpenSanctuary.org was an informative source on this topic.

  • https://opensanctuary.org/things-that-are-toxic-to-llamas/

  Further research included:

  • https://opensanctuary.org/daily-diet-treats-and-supplements-for-llamas/

  • https://greatlakesalpaca.com/resource-center/alpaca-breeding-and-birthing/

  • https://alpacamine.com/livestock-supplies/#:~:text=A%20water%20trough%20is%20the,with%20a%20drain%20plug.

  • https://www.tekorito-alpacas.co.nz/alpaca-reproduction.html

  • https://bellepaga.com/en/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-alpaca-and-baby-alpaca-n117#:~:text=Fineness%2C%20which%20can%20not%20be,year%20between%20spring%20and%20summer.

  • https://alpacasofmontana.com/blogs/alpaca-vs-wool/merino-sheeps-wool-vs-alpaca-fleece#:~:text=Many%20farms%20produce%20extremely%20soft,is%20quite%20luxurious%20to%20touch.

  • https://a-z-animals.com/blog/baby-alpaca-five-facts-five-pictures/

  • https://backyardhomesteadhq.com/29-best-treats-for-alpacas-and-51-treats-to-avoid/

  • https://www.childsplayalpaca.com/picking-the-right-alpaca-herdsire/#:~:text=Make%20sure%20that%20the%20legs,and%20quantity%20of%20the%20fiber.

  • https://www.alpacacollections.com/products/berna-vicuna-shawl-scarf?gclid=CjwKCAiA0syqBhBxEiwAeNx9NzFrSv1343Ufukpqre3HQ6_v59PycnGPTUGMAinqJe8a8LJsK3F0fxoCMjYQAvD_BwE

  • https://robbreport.com/style/menswear/vicuna-material-cost-explained-265529/