Most everyone had the same reaction when I said that Bryan and I were hoping to work at a llama farm this month. "But don't llamas spit!?" you asked with concern, worried that I might spend my next 10 days in New Zealand covered in frothy farm saliva. Thus, the same was my first question upon arrival -- and since then I've learned the answer along with a few other interesting facts about these lovely little critters. Hence, your educational blog post:Q: Do llamas really spit?
A: Yes, llamas do spit. In fact, they have three levels of spit -- the worst being a guttural, colored spit that originates deep in their bellies. This spit is reserved for serious stress or anger. However, the good news is that llamas only spit at other llamas -- never at humans. The only time you'll get hit with llama spit is if you're caught in the crossfire.
Q: Can you pet a llama?
A: You can pet a llama gently, preferably on the neck, but they're not really cuddly petting animals. Llamas really don't like being pet on the head -- which is where most people try to touch them at first.
Q: Can you eat a llama?
A: No, and llama owners get really pissed off when you ask them this. I'd advise against it. I mean, I guess you could in theory eat one, if you were, like, desperate, but that's not the goal.
Q: What do llamas sound like?
A: According to our host, "a silent llama is a happy llama." When they're agitated, llamas make a soft nasal noise, something of a mix between a whine and a snort. There's also a noise of recognition, a "yo what's up" that llamas emit when seeing one of their kind.
Q: Are you totally devastated that you missed Tom Cruise speak at Yahoo! today?
A: Well, since you ask, a bit, yes. But I'd rather be training llamas. I think.
So there you go!
Our competition is on Saturday, and we've been busy getting the girls ready. We're practicing car rides, walking them through parks, grooming them and making little voodoo dolls of the opposition. I'll keep you posted! ..........
4 Comments:
Q. Do you know how freaking funny this blog post is?
and: I just spread the word on this post to Front Doors :-)
Thank you, Heather. And: LTMQ.
write it down. she chose a llama over tom cruise. first the south park/tom cruise in teh closet fiasco, now this. a busy week for cruise's publicist to be sure.
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