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Show Feature SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY JULY 31, 1996 Llamas, llamas, llamas By Barbara Pyles Llamas are members of the Don Sarrells of Fredonia camel family. So, technical)', started raising llamas in 1983. they are camelids. They are a As far as Sarrells knows, he has domesticated animal, and have the only llama farm in the never been wild. llamas have Kanab Fredonia area. All of his large eyes and eyelashes that llamas have names. would make most women Why did Sarrells start raising envious... but when Miss Llama llamas? I was back-packigets pregnant, gestation takes with 35 to 40 pounds on my 11 months. Not much envy there. back. Along came a fellow with Sarrells says female llamas three llamas. He had his tent, have one babyat a time. Occahis lawn chairs and ice chest. sionally one will have twins, but Sarrells laughed. I thought "if thats rare. You have to blood Im go- test for pregnancy at about 30 I'm going to back-pacon it. days and again at 45 to 60 days. ing to put legs because of its The llama, agil- If one of the ladies abort and you ity and surefootedness, makes a dont know it, youve wasted a wonderful pack animal. Since whole year. He added, keeping they are grazers, the llamas can the stress down while they are eat what is available in the area. pregnant can be a bit challengAccordingto Sarrells, a well con- ing Anything from heat to fights ditioned Hama can carry about among themselves to domestic one quarter ofhis weight. A male dogs can stress them. weighs about 400 pounds, a feAccording to the Llama Web, less. When male a little feeling mother llamas do not touch their overworked, a well mannered babies, except with gentle sniffs llama simply lies down. and nudges. Maybe its because It ran be very interesting mama and papa llama cant exback-packiwith llamas, says tend their tongues out far enough Sarrells. They are a very alert for an impressive licking. This is animal and must have eves simi- because llamas have an attached lar to a hawk. By watching his tongue. llamas, Sarrells spots a lot more Regardless, llamas do not wildlife. touch each other, nor do llamas Some uses for llamas in the desire the human touch. HowUnited States are, as light pari ever, there are exceptions4! have animals, for fiber production, one of my originals that will walk show, companionship, and guard half way across the field to get animals. Sarrells is breeding for her back scratched, says resale, and he also markets the Sarrells. wooL Mostly Hama-- ; dont adapt well T Jamas display a wide range to the human touch, because it ofcoat colors. If yon get a nicely is contrary to their nature. This marked colorful animal and a does not mean that llamas arent couple ofpeople who want it, the splendid companions. Llamas are intelligent, debidding at the auction goes up considerably, says Sarrells. lightful creatures that enjoy ng k. ng hanging around with humans. Of course, llamas are not careasoning. pable of human-typ- e The fact is, llamas learn by behavior from humans, other animals, and their own species. Its fun to llama watch. While youre watching them, they are watching your body movements and the expression on your face. According to Sarrells, his llamas are usually very quiet. They have a horse whinny that is an alarm call, other than that its mmmmmmmm. Sarrells says mostly coyotes wont bother a llama. In fact one ofhis llamas chases coyotes out of the field. Then, the llama patrols the area. This is a bluff. Its either spit or run, laughed the owner. Llamas are social animals and should not be by themselves, he says. They are also a curious animal. They will sniff a snake on the nose. I have found them in a circle in the field with a bull snake. If it was a rattler, I would lose a llama real quick. Llamas are graceful. They simultaneously lift both feet on one side when running. "They play just like the deer do, running up and down the field. Tve seen antelope come up to the bottom of the fence. The girls arent too sure about the antelope. They keep half a field between them and the antelope," he says. Sarrells has a number ofllama stories. We have two cats. Every time the cats walk up and down the driveway, the llamas have to examine the cats. The cats will lay on their side and sniff back or put their paws on Llama owner Don Sarrells with Elliot, a llama from Page, Arizona. Sarrells has been raising llamas since 1983. Photo by Barbara Pyles. the llamas face. The cats arent According to Sarrells, llamas bothered a bit by the llamas. are tough and hardy, and easy One more llama yam: We keepers. The cold doesnt seem were down in southern Arizona to bother them. They lay in the at a meeting of the Southwest field with snow and frost on their Llama Association. Man and lla- backs, while having the option mas hiked up a 1000 foot ter- of walking into the bam. Sarrells rain. When we got to the top, our said that summer heat is more ice chest was still full of ice. We of a problem. I sprinkle them started giving the hikers ice. down with the hose a couple That day every hiker up there times a day. They are just like little kids. They crowd each other was sold on llamas. llaand about out and raise a foot so you can What spitting llama-llama mas? Spitting is a spray their legs and bellies. The)' interaction. Most llamas do not enjoy a shower, but you cant spit on humans. Once Sarrells soak a llama. You could give walked between two of his la- them pneumonia It didnt take this writer long dies having an argument. And His him instead. to realize Sarrells loves his llayes, the spit hit ladies will also spit if they think mas Llamas bring out the best their babies are in danger. Ex- in people. Tve met an awful lot of cept for that, Sarrells llamas good people in the llama indushave good manners. try, he said. Lorin Tonks 310 S 100 E Kanab, Utah 644-268-3 ii 3 Fredonia. Photo by Barbara An irusu&s&t for these parts, some of Don SarreTsfiamas roam about on his farm in Pes. a sotxd neighbor. State Perm is there.9 tilzc S arm insaraaca Companies StateOffices: oioomlnaton. Illinois Mama |