Our llamas have been flirting with each other from a distance for weeks now. It's been obvious for some time that they'd like to be back together in the same pen, but we were keeping them apart to give Keira plenty of time to recover from losing her cria. I also wanted to give them their yearly vaccinations before letting them back together.
Well, it's been 5 months now since Keira lost her cria, so she ought to be in as good as physical shape as she's going to get! They've had their vaccinations, and since it's supposed to be better for crias to be born in the fall and there's an 11 - 11 1/2 month gestation - - - it's time!
Accordingly, this weekend we let Samson out of solitary confinement. He went out through a pasture Keira had been in and left some droppings, so naturally, had to stop and check them out.
Step 1 of the Llama Courtship Ritual:
Don't ask me why he feels it necessary to sniff then bare his teeth and arch his head and neck towards his back. I guess if you're a male llama, it's just the thing to do.
But things really heated up when he got to where he could communicate with Keira directly across the fence.
Step 2 of the Llama Courtship Ritual:
In case you can't tell, the male llama, Samson, is the one on the left with his motor running.
Our Maremma LGD (Livestock Guardian Dog) went crazy over the whole situation. She sticks close to Keira and Cinnamon (our little doe goat), and she wasn't happy about Samson making such a racket over Keira. I think she was wondering if he had honorable intentions, ha, ha!
At first Samson didn't realize that the gate was open to the pen Keira was in. When he did. . . well, things got really serious! Keira was receptive and Samson was raring to go!
Step 3 of the Llama Courtship Ritual:
The llamas are in the shadows... hey! Let's give them some privacy, okay? We'll just say that if we don't get a cria in 11 or so months, it won't be because Samson didn't do his part.
As for Neffie, she remained decidedly unhappy about the whole situation. She kept looking at the llamas, then looking at me and barking, as if she were saying, "Are you going to let him get away with that???"
Yes, as a matter of fact, I am.
Sorry Neffie, but it's the only way to get a cute little cria. Besides, Samson is quite honorable. He stays close to his woman, even after she gets pregnant and cranky.
Now if Keira will just deliver a healthy little cria next fall. . .
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Well good luck to the happy couple and their keeper!!
At first I couldn’t see Neffie and thought, “Dang, that llama sounds just like a dog. ”
I could hardly hear the “motor running” (lol) at first because of all the barking! Love the pictures – you did an excellent job explaining everything. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for you and for sweet Keira that everything goes smoothly this time…
Well, that’s a first for me ………. I was totally ignorant of the rituals of llamas until this evening. Thanks for the enlightenment!
Good luck to Keira!
Keep us posted.
Ceecee that’s funny, the llama sounds just like a dog! Yeah, Neffie was LOUD in her protesting the proceedings!
Thanks Farmgirl D! I guess I knew what I was listening for and was tuning out the barking, but you’re sure right. She does kind of overpower Samson’s humming! Thanks for keeping your fingers crossed. I sure hope it all goes well this time.
And Judith. . . any time. I know stuff about the strangest things.
How funny! I’ve never heard my male llama make those sounds because he’s a gelding, so that was cool. I’ve watched llamas breeding, though, and boy howdy! The male gets even louder in his gurgling and warbling. lol! Keira looks like an expectant bride, as if she knows just what is going to happen. lol!
I’m guessing the pulling of his lips and neck backwards, is similar to flehmen (sp?) where a male animal takes in the female’s urine scent to find out if she is receptive to breeding or not. And obviously she was. lol!
By the way, how old is Keira? Cataleya is 2 years old now and eventually I’d like to breed her. I was told that it’s better to wait until a female llama is 4 years old for breeding because they grow rather slowly, especially their reproductive system, and tend to abort or deliver stillborn if bred too young.
My most difficult thing around here will be finding a registered, conformationally correct, and healthy male llama to breed her with.
Here’s to a baby cria next Fall! A girl!
~Lisa
Hey Lisa! Yes, I’m sure it’s a Flehmen Response. He sniffed where she’d used the bathroom and went wild.
Keira is 7 years old.
Good luck finding the right male llama for Cataleya!
And thanks! I hope we get a healthy girl cria too!