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For other uses, see Llama (disambiguation). Not to be confused with Lama, a Tibetan monk. Llama Llama lying down.jpg Conservation status Domesticated Scientific classificationedit Kingdom:	Animalia Phylum:	Chordata Class:	Mammalia Order:	Artiodactyla Family:	Camelidae Genus:	Lama Species:	L. glama Binomial name Lama glama (Linnaeus, 1758) Lama glama Vicugna pacos range.png Domestic llama and alpaca range[1] Synonyms Camelus glama Linnaeus, 1758

The llama (/ˈlɑːmə/; Spanish pronunciation: [ˈʎama]) (Lama glama) is a domesticated South American camelid, widely used as a meat and pack animal by Andean cultures since the Pre-Columbian era.

Llamas are very social animals and live with others as a herd. Their wool is very soft and lanolin-free. Llamas can learn simple tasks after a few repetitions. When using a pack, they can carry about 25 to 30% of their body weight for 8 to 13 km (5–8 miles).[2] The name llama (in the past also spelled "lama" or "glama") was adopted by European settlers from native Peruvians.[3]

Llamas appear to have originated from the central plains of North America about 40 million years ago. They migrated to South America about three million years ago during the Great American Interchange. By the end of the last ice age (10,000–12,000 years ago), camelids were extinct in North America.[2] As of 2007, there were over seven million llamas and alpacas in South America, and due to importation from South America in the late 20th century, there are now over 158,000 llamas and 100,000 alpacas in the United States and Canada.[4]

Contents 1	Classification 2	Characteristics 3	Reproduction 3.1	Mating 3.2	Gestation 3.3	Crias 3.4	Breeding methods 3.5	Pregnancy 4	Nutrition 5	Behavior 5.1	Guard behavior 6	History 6.1	Pre-Incan cultures 6.2	Inca Empire 6.3	Spanish Empire 6.4	United States 7	Fiber