What's that animal in Paradise? An import from Peru

The Jacksons' llamas. / Photo by Marilyn Shelton

By Marilyn Shelton

April 30, 2007 | PARADISE -- Chad and Heather Jackson of Paradise own six llamas, an unusual sight in Cache Valley as these animals are native to South America.

Llamas are relatively rare in the United States compared with cattle. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Web site, there are 97 million head of cattle in the United States. Compare that with 130,000 llamas.

But llamas have gained in popularity in the United States since their introduction in 1920 by William Randolph Hearst. They are valued as companion animals, for the milk they produce and for their wool, which is used by the fashion industry.

They are also less expensive to feed than horses.

"One llama will eat about a half a bale a week. We have six llamas so they eat about three bales a week," said llama owner Chad Jackson.

The USDA's Web site says llamas eat just 10 to 20 percent of what horses eat.

Jackson said that his llamas were given to him by a friend. "Normally though, they cost about $300."

Heather Jackson said, "The biggest challenge isn't keeping them warm in the winter, it's keeping them cool in the summer."

Chad Jackson said that he shears them to keep them cool. Indeed Utah's high altitude and snow-peaked mountains may be similar to the Peruvian Andes where these llamas come from. Many people don't know that llamas used to live in North America. Their fossilized remains have been found as far north as the Rocky Mountains, until that particular genus went extinct during the ice age.

Today's llamas are relatives of those now extinct animals. Chad Jackson said that the type of llamas that he owns come from Peru, but that they do just fine living in Utah.

Jackson also said that llamas make great pets.

"They're really friendly with the kids. Llamas don't spit, unless you make them mad," he said.

He also said that they make really good "watch animals." Whenever they hear someone coming they make a humming noise that "sounds just like a four-wheeler starting," said Jackson.

Heather Jackson said that llamas cannot be ridden, their bone structure is too weak to support heavy weight.

"Some people use them for packing for camping. We just let our kids ride them."

The Jacksons have small children. "I'd say they can probably hold 70 pounds," she said.

If you want to buy a llama, expect it to live between 20 to 25 years and to weigh about 250 to 300 pounds full grown.

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