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These silent and incredible creatures came to South America before man and made the Andean mountainous regions their home in the world.

A day like today, about 10,000 years ago, the brand-new man, inhabitant of these zigzagging and steep lands, began to tame this docile and incredible animal that still continues to be a key part of the regional economy.
Archaeological monuments found in Peruvian lands give credence to this process that has several edges.

Surely, the high concentration of hemoglobin in the blood of this noble mammal, which is why the scarce oxygen at high altitudes does not affect its productivity, is one of the main reasons. Perhaps its perennial tameness and proximity to man have also been of great help. Scientific rigor indicates that its three stomachs and its rumen flora maximize the utilization of fiber and protein, which is why the harshness of the Andean terrain is good for it.
The truth is that not even those first settlers, much less the Incas, were going to miss out on the benefits of this pseudorumid herbivore, which is almost 1.3 meters tall up to its shoulder blades and weighs almost 140 kilograms. That translates into a lot of strength, a lot of wool and, also, a lot of meat.

Today, llamas are generally used as beasts of burden, but in the past, they were revered and even worshipped as a deity.
Only a few Inca sculptures in gold, silver and bronze escaped conquering greed and survive scattered in museums around the world.
However, this animal, which was so useful and admired by the Incas, continues to exist today throughout Peru, Chile, Bolivia, northern Argentina, Ecuador and Colombia.However, unlike what happens in other regions of the continent, in Machu Picchu they do have a great life. There, the llamas are a centerpiece of this scenario full of beauty and mystery.
The best time to observe them, enjoy them and even caress them is early in the morning, when the place is less crowded with travelers. They can be seen grazing and ruminating incessantly. After all, it is the same magical scenery that their ancestors saw being born and perhaps even helped to build.
Did you know that…?

• The Laminis and Camelinis are their ancestors and lived in North America about 10 million years ago.
• There are two types of llama: the Chaku or woolly, and the Q’ara or hairless.
• The llama is one of the most studied animals due to its adaptation to altitude, its diseases and its nutritional requirements.
• The colors of llama fiber range from white to pure to black, passing through a complete range of browns and grays.
• On short journeys they can carry up to 60 kg in weight and on long journeys no more than 20 kg.
• Their meat, wool, hide, fat and even their droppings are used as fuel.
• But there is more about the benefits of their droppings. A recent study indicates that the Incas used it as fertilizer for the cultivation of corn in high altitude lands, which helped the settlement and growth of the empire.

By: Leandro S. Ricciardelli