Last year for their anniversary, Nicole Truman surprised her boyfriend Jeff Hatley by taking him on a llama trek. It might’ve been the big soulful eyes, the velvety snout, or the seriously funky haircut — but before the guided hike was over, the two were totally hooked.
They began spending weekends at Dakota Ridge Farm, a llama farm near their home in Schenectady, New York. It wasn’t long after that they became the proud owners of their very own baby llama, named Nimbus Thunderkat.
They’re not the only ones who have become enamored with the fluffy gentle giants and their cousins, alpacas. The number of llamas and alpacas living in the U.S. has skyrocketed in recent decades (and there are the hashtags to prove it.)
And sure, the adorable animals are endlessly Instagrammable. But what’s it actually like to be the parent of a large, camel-like creature — and what should you know if you’re seriously thinking about buying one? Here's what you should keep in mind:
Llamas and alpacas are pretty different.
If you’ve never interacted with them up close, you might assume llamas and alpacas are basically the same. But they’re not. For starters, llamas are way bigger — averaging between 400 and 500 pounds. Alpacas are literally lightweights by comparison, maxing out at 200 pounds. Their fiber is curlier and denser (read: warmer) too. It tends to fetch more money, and is typically used for sweaters and socks. Llama fiber, on the other hand, is usually used for rugs.
More importantly, they have pretty different temperaments. Because llamas have long helped people haul goods, they tend to be more comfortable interacting with us. Alpacas, though cuddly looking, are more aloof. "Alpacas are more like cats, while llamas are more like dogs," says Cindi Hassrick, founder of Aurora Alpaca and Llama Farm.
Still, a llama will never act like the fun-loving golden retriever you had as a kid. "They’re not going to come running over to greet you," Hatley says. "You have to earn their trust."
You don't need a huge backyard.
Llamas and alpacas are like other farm animals: They need plenty of fenced outdoor space, along with a barn area to hang out in when it’s cold or rainy. So if you live in a city or a busy suburb, you probably won’t be able to bring one home.
That doesn’t mean you can’t own one — or several — though. Nimbus lives at Dakota Ridge Farm. They pay for his boarding and food (it costs about $100 a month), but Hatley and Truman are responsible for his care and training — everything from clipping his toenails to teaching him to walk with a halter. The farm is 25 minutes away from Hatley and Truman’s home, so they visit him on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on weeknights if they can make it over before dark.
The setup doesn’t just mean that Nimbus gets the space he deserves. It also ensures that he spends time with other llamas (including his mom). "Llamas and alpacas are herd animals," Hatley says. "They’d be depressed if it was just one of them."
Veterinary care is a big factor.
If you’re planning on bringing llamas or alpacas back to your property, make sure there’s a vet nearby who knows how to care for them. Because llamas and alpacas are susceptible to certain parasites, they require monthly checks to keep them healthy, Hassrick says.
Regular wellness visits aren’t the only thing to consider, though. Over the winter, Nimbus broke his leg in a freak accident when it somehow got caught under a door. That sort of injury can be life-threatening to llamas and alpacas (as well as to other livestock), since they don’t understand that they need to rest their injury.
Though Hatley and Truman live near Dakota Ridge Farm, the nearest animal hospital that could treat llamas was three hours away. "We rushed him there, and he had to stay there for two weeks and undergo several surgeries," Hatley says.
Thankfully, Nimbus is now splint-free. But the expenses associated with his medical care climbed above $5,000. With the help of the local llama community, Hatley and Truman started a fundraising page and raised $4,500 for his care.
Llamas are great stress-busters.
Because llamas tend to be friendly, they’re legitimately fun to hang out with. "Hanging out with Nimbus is our go-to weekend thing," Hatley says. "It sounds silly, but they’re just magical creatures. They have a calming presence."
(And contrary to what you might hear, llamas don’t go around spitting on people for no reason. It’s a defense mechanism that they only use when they’re feeling threatened.)
That cool, calming quality — coupled with an ability to quickly learn new things — means that llamas make excellent therapy animals for both the elderly and children with special needs. You can even get them certified through some therapy animal programs.
Finding a reputable breeder is key.
Unlike dogs or cats, you’d be hard-pressed to find a llama or alpaca at your local animal shelter. The majority of the time, owners acquire the animals through breeders. (Occasionally, rescue organizations take in older llamas or alpacas who are retired from showing and don’t produce as much fiber.)
How can you tell if a breeder is good? For starters, breeders should do parasite checks every month and shear herds at least once a year. Without an annual haircut, llamas and alpacas are at risk for overheating in the summer, Hassrick says. Having a history of showing their llamas or alpacas is another biggie, since it’s a sign that the breeder cares about training.
Finally? "The person selling to you should be willing to teach you as well. Look for a mentor situation," Hassrick says. Hatley and Truman spent months visiting Dakota Ridge Farm before they decided to buy a llama of their own. "The best way to learn how to care for them is by learning from an experienced llama owner," Hatley says.
Bonding can take some time.
Both llamas and alpacas will become accustomed to the people that hang around them, but it won’t usually happen right away. "We notice that as we go to the farm more and more, the llamas are more comfortable with us," Hatley says. "That moment that a llama decides that it likes you, it’s very special. It’s hard to describe."
