Llamas are social animals and like to live in herds. Since many are raised in captivity, it is common for llamas to be trained to assist humans with simple tasks. These include carrying cargo that weighs up to 25% to 30% of their body weight and as guards for sheep and goat herds. When raised for their wool, llamas are sheared once a year for their soft, lanolin-free coat. Llamas can also be trained as very friendly companions, and some are raised as pets.

Llamas have a very effective digestive system that produces small pellets. Llamas are hardy and have survived in the wild for years on a sparse diet of grasses and shrubs.

Llama births are usually quick, over within 30 minutes, and happen in the warmer daylight hours while the dam, or female llama, is standing and surrounded by other females of the herd. The gestation period is about 11.5 months, and dams usually give birth to one 18- to 30-lb newborn at a time. Their life span is about 20 years.

Often raised for their wool and as a food source.

Considered one of the oldest domesticated animals, llamas can be found in farms throughout South America and North America.