Why do so many people have such silly misconceptions about llamas?

Question

What has given llamas such a bad reputation? It never fails, when we take our llamas to fairs, some parents will grab their kids and tell them not to get close or they will get spit on. (Llamas almost never spit at people, unless they have been abused or mishandled at some point.) The same parents will let their kids reach into a horse's stall even though there is a "horse may bite" sign taped to the stall. I've even heard people say that llama spit is burning acid and will leave scars. I've also heard people say that llamas will bite and can rip a person to shreds with their "hooves". They actually have no top teeth in the front, and their feet are padded on the bottom with two toenails on top. Why have these gentle creatures gotten the reputation for being so "vicious" towards people??

Jan H - sorry for your bad experience. Unfortunately it sounds like you got "taken" by someone wanting to unload a problem llama. That's the breeder's fault, not the llama's fault, and happens with *all* species of animals. Some, but certainly not all, llamas make *outstanding* guardians for sheep & goats. If you want a guardian you need to buy a llama that has been exposed to sheep or goats and been evaluated by someone with some experience, and don't expect a *real* guardian to be cheap. If you just throw any llama in with your goats he'll be scared to death of them and do anything to get away. Also, a llama that was truly trained to pack (and I mean *trained*, not just "throw a pack on him and lead him around") would never be sold as a guardian unless he didn't make the cut for some reason. Trained packers are worth at least 3X what a guardian is worth.

Also, my llamas can be handled by anyone and will not spit because they are properly trained. I had the vet out to remove the fighting teeth on two huge males this spring, and vaccinate my whole herd. Even then, they did not spit. In all my years working with llamas, the only time I've had spit on me is when I've happened to get between two llamas having an argument between each other. Even then, I'd much rather be spit on by a llama than kicked or bitten by a large animal such as a poorly trained horse which could actually do major damage.

Answer 1

I have no idea, but you're right. I love Llamas! I was doing a commercial with Llamas and the person they wanted to walk one down the road wouldn't do it because she said it would spit on her. So they asked me to do it. It was great not only did I get paid for the use of the animals, but as an actress in the commercial. A Llama has never spit, kicked or bitten me.

As far as people saying they can get ripped apart by being kicked by them, they are confused it's Deer that will do that. Of all "wild" animals in the US there are more people that are harmed and even killed by Deer. I guess people don't know this because they will always go up to see "Bambi". So beware of Deer, you can look those facts up.

I'm with you 100% on Llamas we just need to get the word out that they a wonderful animals, it all in educating people. Good Q all the best;^)

Answer 2

Misinformation and bad experiences with them. And in all fairness - be glad parents avoid your animals. Seriously. Ever try to remove cotton candy from an animal right before going in the show ring? I guess not if kids don't get close enough. They will spit in defense...and it's my experience many llamas don't want to be handled especially by strangers (which includes new owners). Kids can be annoying even to the best of animals.
Part of some misperception is perpetuated by llama owners who revel them as guardians on the same level as guardian dogs and donkeys. Animal planet focused on one of those that took on a cougar and would have lost for it if not for the dogs coming to rescue him.
I liked llamas before talking to someone about getting one and asking a lot of questions about using him as a guardian. I was told he'd be fine just in the pens with the goats as a lone llama because they'd be company; and everything I asked about care was answered with just like the goats. He was hard to catch, he started going over/through fences and tearing the fences up then was hard to catch. When I walked out one morning and found the fence trashed and the llama out again -and I couldn't touch him although he was supposedly broke to lead and pack and I'd never been anything but nice to him in the short time I had him - I called the seller and told her come get him. It took her, another experienced llama person and 2 animal control people 8 hours to catch him. I felt grossly misled - he was the most antisocial animal I've ever had. He was destructive and because he wouldn't stay in the areas where the goats were was completely ineffective. Even if I just left him there and he stayed there sooner or later he'd have to be caught to take care of him.

Answer 3

They also kick too, I've heard.

Seriously though, most people have never met a llama before and only know one weird little fact about them (that they spit). I think it's just a lack of education and experience.

Answer 4

Because they watch to much TV and are to stupid to invest the time to find out the truth. Of course anyone that has looked at one llama is an expert and must share his knowladge with anyone close enough to listen, and that makes the listener a profesional LLama handler and they of course have to share that, etc, etc, etc.

Answer 5

Do all llamas, wear those little Inca hats, and chew coca leaves?

Answer 6

I guess people confuse them with camels, but seriously, if people can't look at each other without misconceptions, how can we expect them to treat the animal kingdom fairly?

Answer 7

I've never heard any of those things before. But what bad parents, Honestly.

Answer 8

Yah, there pretty much my favorite animal. Tina, you fat lard, come get some FOOD!

Answer 9

Llamas rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!