A llama is a very nice animal with soft hair and large eyes. Compared to a horse, a llama eats eight times less.
Llamas are herbivores grazing a wide variety of plants. Usually, they eat corn, lucerne, and grass. Although the llamas regurgitate and chew again the food, like sheep and cows, their stomach has three compartments, and are not ruminants. The llama has a very long thick intestine, which allows it to digest cellulose-rich plants and also to survive with far less water than most mammals.
Ideal llama treats include carrots, white cabbage leaves, broccoli, sweet potatoes, celery, oranges, mangoes, bananas, watermelons, and apples. It is important for the food to be juicy and fresh. This will allow their body to be saturated with minerals and trace elements necessary for normal body functioning.
You should be aware that the diet is largely dependent on the gender and age of the llama. In addition, during pregnancy and while nursing the babies, the female may change its taste preferences.
Llamas live in a dry climate and therefore receive most of the hydration from food. They need two to three liters of water a day. Hay and grass consumption represents 1,8% of the body weight. Domestic lamas are adapted to the food fed to sheep and goats.
Is it good for llamas to eat fruits?
Yes, you can occasionally treat your llama with vegetables or fruits, but you should know that they get most of the nutrients they need from the grass they eat.
You might also like my articles about whether goats can eat bamboo, kale, or mango.
Fruits contain high amounts of sugar which may cause different problems from bloating to digestive issues, so they should not be present in the everyday diet of a llama.
Llamas have only bottom teeth and they can’t chew quite well hole fruits or vegetables. Before you give your llama their loved treats make sure they are properly sliced or cut into small pieces so they won’t choke.
As you may wonder there are fruits you should never offer and there are some really beneficial and loved by llamas.
What fruits can llamas eat?
- Apples
Apples are a great immunity booster because, as you might know, they are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and different antioxidants. They are an excellent supplement in their diet, so you shouldn’t hesitate in giving them such a common fruit.
If you are concerned about the fruits from the list, the apple is the safest and most used choice offered as a treat.
- Bananas
As I mention above, llamas lack their upper teeth, so this is a perfect treat for them to eat easier. Besides being easy to chew they are also beneficial to their digestive system.
Bananas are rich in nutrients like potassium, vitamins, and fibers, so they are a safe treat for llamas. Just remember that these are offered as treats and not as a main meal, if not they may cause colic issues.
- Pineapples
After apples, this delicious treat is the most frequently offered to llamas.
Pineapples are great, but like any other fruit or vegetable, they shouldn’t be offered daily.
- Pears
Pears are also a great treat for your llama.
If you are worried that pears might cause some side effects on your llamas’ health, try giving them some small chunks for some days and watch if they have any different reactions to them.
If they didn’t have any allergic reactions or problems, you can safely treat your llama with some pear slices.
- Strawberries
Strawberries are also a safe and super tasty treat to include in the diet of your llama.
Offer them small amounts of strawberries and a lot of water, in case they might choke with them. Having enough water while eating also helps them with digestion.
Here are some other treats for llamas
- Blackberries
- Peaches
- Watermelon
- Mango
- Grapes
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Pumpkin
- Celery
- Parsnips
- Tomatoes
- Sweet potatoes
Now you know there is a wide variety of treats you can offer your llama, but for their health, their main diet must consist of grass and hay. As in any other organism, too much sugar leads to health problems, so moderation is the key.
You can offer it some slices of fruits or vegetables from time to time without worrying about the risks.
Llamas will surely eat all of the offered fruits or vegetables as treats, mainly because they are not such picky eaters.
