Lama glama (llama) is a domesticated South American camelid developed in the Andes thousands of years ago. It has no wild population, although genetic and archaeological evidence connects its ancestry primarily with the guanaco. Llamas are larger and more heavily built than alpacas, with long curved ears and a coat ranging through white, brown, black, gray, and patterned combinations.

Andean communities bred llamas as pack animals and for fiber, meat, hides, and manure. Their padded two-toed feet provide traction while causing less ground damage than hard hooves, and their ability to use sparse highland forage made caravan transport possible across difficult terrain. A llama that feels threatened may spit partially digested stomach contents, but well-socialized animals communicate more often through posture, ear position, humming, and alarm calls. Llamas are now raised well beyond South America for fiber, trekking, livestock guarding, and companionship. Photographed in Colombia.