Brians last blog post..Vermont

Nora Bees last blog post..The sisterhood of the mate selection

I am anxiously awaiting a new lens for my Nikon D80 and will be taking even more pictures…

you are inspiring!

Trishs last blog post..Fall is here

White Hot- Secretly I wished I lived on a ranch.

White Hot Magiks last blog post..Infinite Grace 2008

The llama is indeed protection for the horses as it will be very vocal about any possible predators. The sound of the llama making groaning noises or going “mwa” is often a sign of fear or anger. If a llama is agitated, it will lay its ears back. It seems when one lone male is raised with the herd (whether cattle, sheep, horses, etc), the herd usually accepts the llama as the guard animal.

“Llamas are introduced to a herd and are pastured with them; they do not require separate shelters. Ideally, a llama should be introduced to the sheep while they are in a corral or small pasture rather than on open range or large pasture. The llama should remain in a small area until the sheep and llama seem well-adjusted and attached to each other. This encourages bonding between the sheep and llama. A llama introduced in this manner will be more effective as a guard against predators.

Research supports the use of multiple guard llamas is not as effective as one llama. Multiple male llamas tend to bond with one another, rather than with the livestock, and may ignore the flock. A gelded male of two years of age bonds closely with its new charges and is instinctively very effective in preventing predation . . .

Using llamas as guards has eliminated the losses to predators for many producers. The value of the livestock saved each year more than exceeds the purchase cost and annual maintenance of a llama. Although not every llama is suited to the job, most llamas are a viable, non-lethal alternative for reducing predation, requiring no training and little care.”

And there you have it from the Wikipedia. Amazing, I would have never thought of a llama as a “guard llama,” but they actually call them this. BTW, that llama must not have feared the humans because you can see his ears are going forward, and not backward. Those horses sure look confident in Mr. Llama’s abilities too!

Kathleens last blog post..My Favorite Things . . .

Nikki- Take Danger. She’d love it.

Jaden- Thanks! I love the color green contrasting with her dark hair.

Kat- Yes I am bummed about the clarity but it brings back such good memories and I’m glad I have them!

Lisa- In my heart at least.

Housecat- Yes it seems pretty content huh? But there are so many wild dogs, I bet it feels really safe up there!

Amy- I’m sure of it.

Amy Wrights last blog post..The Guys (3rd Post tonight…in case you missed any)

My cats would never consent to being carried around like that. I wish!

Housecats last blog post..Homecoming and Round of 32