JoJo and Baxter, the non-breeder llamas at Blue Rock Station, are on guard duty 24 hours a day, protecting the chicken coop from the relentless raccoons, possums or the occasional fox. These two llamas take their job quite seriously. Their calm, almost delicate manner belies a tough interior which includes strong muscles and a quick kick. Llamas, while related to the camel and thought of mostly as “beasts of burden” or as a source for wool, meat and milk, have been known to kill coyotes or wild dogs. They are often used to protect herds of sheep or goats.

   In recent years llamas have begun to populate fields and county fairs across America. They were introduced into zoos in North America in the late 1800s. Previously, when not in zoos, they were thought of as “exotic pets” for the rich and famous. But with input from herd-management professionals and a new emphasis on alternative livestock as pets or companion animals, the market for llamas has been escalating since the late 1970s. Today there are an estimated 100,000 llamas in the United States and Canada (still a small number compared to the 3.5 million llamas in South America).

    In a sense, llamas are “coming home.” They are one of the four species known as New World camelids, which originated in the central-plains region of North America as long as 40 million years ago. The dawn of the Ice Age sparked a massive migration that saw camelids relocating by migration north over the Bearing land-bridge into Asia, eventually evolving into camels in Asia and Africa. The camelids that migrated south evolved into the llama family – alpacas, guanacos, llamas and vicuñas.

    Today the majority of llamas live high in the Andes Mountains of South America, mostly in Peru and Bolivia. They have long been used as pack animals and are a source of fiber, fuel and meat, thus remaining an important part of the Andes' economy.

    Llamas are a species that treads softly on this earth. Adapted to high altitude and harsh conditions, they eat sparingly, drink little water and their two-toed padded feet do little or no damage to trails or hillsides. This is one reason for their growing popularity in North America for hiking (or trekking). Llamas are at home climbing and hiking with the sure-footedness of a mountain goat and the gracefulness of a deer. Their tracks and droppings are similar to Ohio deer and have little impact on fragile wilderness trails.

    Llamas are naturally alert, curious and eager to walk in the woods. Their walking pace is comfortable for hikers who utilize them. They have a keen sense of smell, hearing and sight, often alerting humans to nearby deer and other wildlife in the woods.

    At Blue Rock Station, llamas are an important part of the local ecology and economy. In addition to guard duty, Baxter and JoJo (two non-breeder males) take visitors trekking along forest trails and provide a rich, nearly odorless manure for the garden and house plants. Because llamas are very discrete about their communal potty habits, the manure is easy to gather for nearby composting.

   Blessed with a timid, but curious personality, llamas really seem to enjoy their interaction with humans. They are strong, delicate, noble, hard-working companions who more than earn their keep – whether carrying packs across the rugged mountains of Peru or standing patiently for an 8-year-old little girl being judged at a local 4-H competition. Llamas find themselves at home at Blue Rock Station and across America.

Annie & Jay Warmke own and operate Blue Rock Station, a sustainable living center. Every other month they teach a workshop on owning llamas. It includes information on how to purchase and keep one healthy. For more information on owning a llama or on Blue Rock Station, visit www.bluerockstation.com or call (740) 674-4300.

Photos by Annie & Jay Warmke.