· Llamas are members of the camelid, or camel, family.

· Camelids first appeared on the Central Plains of North America about 40 million years  ago. About 3 million years ago, llamas' ancestors migrated to South America.

· Llamas were first domesticated and used as pack animals 4,000 to 5,000 years ago by   I  Indians in the Peruvian highlands.

· Llamas are hardy and well suited to harsh environments.

· Llamas are smart and easy to train.

· Llamas weigh 280 to 450 pounds and can carry about a quarter of their body weight, so a 400-pound male llama can carry about 100 pounds on a trek of 10 to 12 miles with no problem.

· Llamas are vegetarians and have efficient digestive systems.

· Llamas live to be about 20 years old.

· Llamas are social animals and prefer to live with other llamas or herd animals.

· Llamas don't bite. They spit when they're agitated, but that's mostly at each other.