Some reasons why the llama spits

The llama (Lama glama, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llama), as everyone knows, 'spits' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF4el-h3Yic and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDi6NPQPAtI and https://www.agriculture.com/family/living-the-country-life/why-llamas-and-alpacas-spit and https://ramshornllamas.com/why-do-llamas-spit-and-how-to-stop-it/).

However, what may not be generally realised is how this relates to the combination of touch-aversion and hornlessness which characterises its wild ancestor, the guanaco (Lama guanicoe, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guanaco).

Spitting in the llama and the guanaco differs from spitting in humans, and may alternatively be described as non-nasal sneezing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_6XHB8D9vQ and https://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=SEO----&v=566353500905689 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUQiP4FgzDQ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8cNLVD5pLo and https://www.jukinmedia.com/licensing/view/982504 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKkNyhq6EHo and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjgDunX2SQk and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bpJl1l3-K8 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeQsOxeiHjg).

A jet of droplets and aerosol is sprayed with surprising velocity and over a surprising distance while the mouth is only slightly open (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HszBEIn7EPo and https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=4806245422755943).

The substance jet-sprayed is various combinations of saliva and stomach contents (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLJpxhGmtH4). The composition of the 'spit' seems less important than the physical insult delivered. In other words, spitting in the llama and the guanaco does not seem to be a case of chemical defence as much as an unusual form of physical threat.

It is tempting to suggest that we call this behaviour 'agonistic sneezing', which sometimes includes 'vomit-sneezing'. However, this is also unsatisfactory because the llama and the guanaco breathe exclusively through the nose, and their true sneeze is purely nasal. Such are the difficulties of the English language for precise descriptions in science.

Spitting in the llama seems to function similarly to the gesturing that is performed in other ungulates by means of lowered horns or antlers (or lowered forehead in the case of females of many species), or flailing fore hooves. Because the llama and the guanaco lack both head-adornments (at all) and hooves (in a strict sense), and their fang-baring displays are limited by the small size of their caniniform teeth (https://shadyufo.tumblr.com/post/165100306068/what-are-the-differences-between-llama-and-alpaca), it is reasonable that the head might be used in this alternative way in communication.

On page 75 of her book 'Llamas and alpacas: a guide to management' (2006, The Crowood Press), Gina Bromage states: "Llamas and alpacas...express defiant disapproval by spitting. If they wish only to warn, then often they will spit past or away from the other animal, but if they are really angry, they will spit directly at it...Sub-dominant animals rarely dare to spit at the dominant one...Laid-back ears...always precedes spitting".

Also informative is what Bromage writes on page 16: "A well-brought-up llama or alpaca would never deliberately spit at a person, any more than a well-brought-up dog or a horse would bite. Spitting is something that camelids properly reserve for squabbles amongst themselves. However, it is possible accidentally to get caught in the crossfire during a dispute among them. The other circumstances in which people are on the receiving end is where the animal concerned has not been properly trained to respect humans, and then, just as a rogue dog or horse might bite, a llama or alpaca might spit".

To understand these peculiarities, it may help to realise that the llama and the guanaco are among the most touch-averse of ungulates. There is no caressing behaviour in these species, regardless of age or sex. This applies even to maternity: the mother does not clean the newborn, which is left to dry off by itself.

So, although spitting in the llama is not only defensive but also partly aggressive, its meaning seems in certain situations to be 'Respect my personal space!'

Bromage states on pages 79-80: "Alpacas and llamas do not indulge in mutual grooming...they never lick, nibble, tickle or rub each other for mutual benefit (e.g. parasite removal) or pleasure. Even newly delivered mothers do not lick their babies. The effect of this is that the touch of another animal or human is always unwelcome...Llamas and alpacas cannot help having a step-away reflex...Their handlers must understand that to tolerate touch and not be alarmed or distressed by it...it has to overcome a very deeply rooted sense of alarm".

This syndrome is so strongly developed in the llama that, if the infant is subjected to cuddling by humans (e.g. https://www.startribune.com/minnesotans-are-hugging-llamas-as-pandemic-pick-me-up/600037226/ and https://www.airbnb.com.au/experiences/882431?_set_bev_on_new_domain=1634612225_ZGViZDI5MTY4ZDcz&modal=PHOTOS&modalItem=767209842), it grows up so spoilt that its manners are permanently lost through adulthood. To give the infant physical affection is effectively to abuse it.

This inadvertent abuse tends to be terminal for the pet because the results are too dangerous for humans. Individuals of the llama that have been cuddled as infants may have to be killed once adult. This is because they are inclined to inflict on humans not only spitting but also the real violence of kicking, biting and trampling.

Publicado el octubre 17, 2021 10:32 TARDE por milewski milewski

Comentarios

It is easy to assume that spitting by the llama and the alpaca is a form of chemical defence, based on the following excerpt from Bromage (2006), page 75:"Spit is foul-smelling liquid from the C1 fermentation compartment of the stomach, and it seems to upset the spitter almost as much as it does the spitter. Often both animals will develop a droopy lower lip and lose interest in food for several minutes after the incident".

Publicado por milewski hace más de 2 años

The main exception to the touch-aversion of llama and guanaco is in the copulatory act. True ruminants tend to have extremely brief copulation (requiring only one thrust by the male) and, in some species, no contact between the partners beyond penis and vagina. By contrast, in camelids copulation is prolonged and brings the partners into skin-contact.

Publicado por milewski hace más de 2 años

On page 358 of 'The camelid companion: handling and training your alpacas and llamas' (2001), Marty McGee Bennett states: "Spitting is often a defensive response to being cornered...Other behaviors that push the spit button are picking things out of the wool, prolonged eye contact, holding your breath, lifting your nose with the look of 'Don't you dare spit on me!'"

Publicado por milewski hace más de 2 años

The llama is particularly different from the donkey and other equids, w.r.t. the effects of physical affection on the infant. Ann Walker, in her book 'Australian donkeys' (1973), recommends on the basis of much experience that infants should be handled from birth, because this fosters trust and facilitates training. "I do not think the training of the donkey can begin too young. In fact in my own stud it is policy to start as soon after birth as possible! I was once advised by a very wise old horseman to pick my foals right up in my arms as soon as possible after birth; he had always done that with his horse foals he told me, and as a result they never had any fear of man and were far easier to break when the time came...A foal that has been handled in this way from birth can learn many of the basic lessons that will form its training long before it is old enough to leave its mother."

Publicado por milewski hace más de 2 años

interesting post! @milewski

Publicado por marceloamores hace más de 2 años

@marceloamores Thank you, Marcelo

Publicado por milewski hace más de 2 años

@milewski, Fascinating! I have learned so much from you! Thank you! Ruth

Publicado por grinnin hace más de 2 años

@grinnin Once again, you're most welcome.

Publicado por milewski hace más de 2 años

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