Editing Llama (section)

== Behavior ==
[[File:Lloyd the Llama.jpg|thumb|A pack llama in the [[Rocky Mountain National Park]]]]
Llamas that are well-socialized and trained to halter and lead after [[weaning]] are very friendly and pleasant to be around. They are extremely curious, and most will approach people easily. However, [[Berserk llama syndrome|llamas that are bottle-fed]] or over-socialized and over-handled as youth will become extremely difficult to handle when mature, when they will begin to treat humans as they treat each other, which is characterized by bouts of spitting, kicking and neck wrestling.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Llama farmers say beasts no burden|last=Britton|first=Rick|date=24 May 2001|work=[[The Washington Times]]|page=14}}</ref>

Llamas are now utilized as certified therapy animals in nursing homes and hospitals. [[Rojo the Llama]], located in the [[Pacific Northwest]] was certified in 2008. The [[Mayo Clinic]] says animal-assisted therapy can reduce pain, depression, anxiety, and fatigue. This type of therapy is growing in popularity, and several organizations throughout the United States participate.
<ref name=CNN>{{cite web
 | url = https://www.cnn.com/2016/03/14/health/llama-pet-therapy-oregon-feat/index.html 
 | title =Do you know what's happening to your clothing donations? 
 | website =CNN
 | date =14 March 2016 
 | access-date =18 February 2020
}}</ref>

When correctly reared, llamas spitting at a human is a rare thing. Llamas are very social herd animals, however, and sometimes spit at each other to discipline lower-ranked llamas. A llama's social rank in a herd is never static. They can always move up or down the social ladder by picking small fights. This is usually done between males to see which will become dominant. Their fights are visually dramatic, characterized by spitting, ramming each other with their chests, neck wrestling, and kicking, mainly to knock the other off balance. The females are usually only seen spitting to control other herd members. One may determine how agitated the llama is by the materials in the spit. The more irritated the llama is, the further back into each of the three stomach compartments it will try to draw materials from for its spit.

While the social structure might constantly change, they live as a family and care for each other. If one notices a strange noise or feels threatened, an alarm call - a loud, shrill sound that rhythmically rises and falls - is sent out, and all others become alert. They will often hum to each other as a form of communication.

The llama's groaning noises or going "mwa" (/mwaʰ/) is often a sign of fear or anger. Unhappy or agitated llamas will lay their ears back, while ears being perked upwards is a sign of happiness or curiosity.

An "orgle" is the mating sound of a llama or alpaca, made by the sexually aroused male. The sound is reminiscent of gargling but with a more forceful, buzzing edge. Males begin the sound when they become aroused and continue throughout [[copulation (zoology)|copulation]].<ref>
{{cite web
 |url=http://www.llamapaedia.com/behavior/sounds.html
 |work=Llamapedia
 |title=Behavior: Sounds
 |date=2 September 1997
|author1=Greta Stamberg
 |author2=Derek Wilson
 |name-list-style=amp
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061015040744/https://www.llamapaedia.com/behavior/sounds.html
 |archive-date=15 October 2006
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
 |url=http://personal.smartt.com/~brianp/allsounds.html
 |work=Humm Page
 |title=Llama Sounds
 |date=17 May 2008
|author=Brian and Jane Pinkerton
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509062153/http://personal.smartt.com/~brianp/allsounds.html
 |archive-date=9 May 2008
}}</ref>

=== Guard behavior ===
{{Main|Guard llama}}
[[File:Guard llama and flock-enhanced.jpg|thumb|231x231px|A llama guarding a flock of sheep at a farm in [[Massachusetts]] ]]<!-- Commented out: [[File:Lever-park-1910.png|thumb|Llama at [[Rivington]], Lancashire, ''circa'' 1912]] -->
Using llamas as livestock guards in North America began in the early 1980s, and some sheep producers have used llamas successfully since then. Some would even use them to guard their smaller cousins, the alpaca.<ref>International Llama Association. (1995). "Guard Llamas." ILA Educational Brochure No. 2.</ref><ref name = "Geo">Walker, Cameron. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20030611171727/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/06/0610_030610_llamashepherds.html Guard Llamas Keep Sheep Safe From Coyotes.]" ''[[National Geographic Society|National Geographic]]'', 10 June 2003.</ref> They are used most commonly in the western regions of the [[United States]], where larger predators, such as coyotes and feral dogs, are prevalent. Typically, a single gelding (castrated male) is used.

Research suggests using multiple guard llamas is not as effective as one. Multiple males 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. Some llamas bond more quickly to sheep or goats if introduced just before [[lambing]]. Many sheep and goat producers indicate a special bond quickly develops between lambs and their guard llama, and the llama is particularly protective of the lambs.

Using llamas as guards has reduced the losses to predators for many producers. The value of the livestock saved each year exceeds a llama's purchase cost and annual maintenance. Although not every llama is suited to the job, most are a viable, nonlethal alternative for reducing predation, requiring no training and little care.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.whyllama.com/GuardLlamas.htm#Guarding%20behavior/ |title=Guard Llamas: An Alternative for Effective Predator Management |access-date=28 April 2010 |archive-date=17 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517005201/http://whyllama.com/GuardLlamas.htm#Guarding%20behavior/ |url-status=usurped }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=June 2017}}