Anyone around North Alabama who has livestock or pets, knows
about Saddlerack in Elkmont Al. They also know that Mike
Morelli, owner of Saddlerack, has a soft spot for animals,
all kinds of animals. So it wasn't too much of a surprise
when I went in this weekend to get my horses feed to hear
him say, "Teresa, have you met my new baby?" Generally Mike
has a new puppy, rabbits, ducks and recently he showed me
Dumbo Rats! But this time it was something truly adorable, a
baby Llama.
Boo Boo is only six weeks old, the mama
Llama wouldn't feed him so it's owner knew just where to
go... to Mike! Mike expects to keep him for another week or
so, but Boo Boo has made himself right at home.
"Boo Boo really loves kids," says Mike, I
noticed he even likes to stroll thru the store and grab the
occasional bag of dog food, seeds or just anything within
his grasp. Mike says, "he is really pretty smart, cause he
knows when he is doing something wrong, I'll call his name
and he will grab a bag and take off with it."
The owner raises Llamas and Mike expects she
will come for him in the next week or two. Boo Boo is so
gentle from being around people all day, he will bring a nice
price if she decides to sell him. Mature by age four, llamas
weigh an average of 250 to 500 pounds and have a lifespan of
15 to 20 years.
Llamas are considered one of the most
enjoyable large animals that one can own. They are extremely
intelligent, very beautiful and graceful, and carry
themselves with elegance. A gentle companion for all ages,
easy and rather inexpensive to keep, and easily trained,
llamas adapt easily to many different situations and have
numerous enjoyable uses. A member of the camelid family,
llamas are a herd animal, but react very positively with
people. Extremely versatile, they come in a wide variety of
colors, sizes, personalities, and price ranges.
A friendly companion, llamas are commonly
used as pack animals in mountainous areas, State and
National Parks, and for those who just enjoy hiking or
backpacking. Capable of carrying 1/3 of their body weight,
around a total of 80 to 100 pounds, llamas are a quiet and
willing companion when hiking.
Owning these beautiful animals has created a
desire to show them competitively just as horses, dogs and
other domesticated livestock. In halter classes, llamas are
judged for balance, conformation, and movement. In
performance classes, llamas may compete in various obstacle
courses, cart driving, and showmanship.
4-H - Additionally, there are now many llama
4-H clubs across the country which enables llamas to be
included in 4-H activities and county fairs. Showing these
intelligent and gentle animals nurtures the self esteem of
their young trainers as they display the results of their
llama's training at shows and fairs.
Llamas seem to be instinctively quiet and
gentle with the weak or handicapped. Being alert and
curious, as well as calm and quiet, lamas seem to have a
certain sense and understanding that some people are very
special. They do not react negatively to cumbersome
movements or unusual noises which is why those with limited
activities respond to llamas so positively. They make
excellent therapy animals and bring unlimited joy with
visits to hospitals and nursing homes.
Llamas are increasingly being used
successfully as guard animals for herds of sheep, goats, or
geese. A gelded male of two years of age, will bond closely
with its new charges and instinctively be very effective in
preventing predation. Using llamas as guards has eliminated
the losses to predators for many producers.
A prized product of llamas is their fiber.
Exceptionally woolly animals, their lanolin-free wool is
fine, soft, and warm - greatly appreciated by spinners,
knitters, and weavers. Many commercial processors specialize
in cleaning, carding, and spinning and can turn this
luxurious raw fiber into rovings and yarns. Many individual
create beautiful garments, household items, and works of art
with processes such as knitting, weaving, hooking, and
felting.
