Llama Reproduction
The llama reproductive cycle
Llamas have an interesting and unusual reproductive cycle, especially for a large animal.- They are "induced ovulators", which means that they mate first and the egg follows, not the other way around, as in dogs, cats, humans, cows, horses, etc. This means that you can plan when you want breedings to happen, rather than being tied to nature's schedule.
- They mate lying down, pretty unusual in a large animal.
- They mate for an extended period of time (20 - 45 minutes), also unusual in a large animal.
- Female llamas carry their baby for 330 - 368 days (about 11 - 11.5 months). Seems like forever when you are waiting for that nifty little baby.
- Mother llamas do not lick off their babies, as they have an attached tongue (it doesn't stick out much more than 1/2"). (They do "croon" to and nuzzle or sniff their babies.)
Breeding situations
- Harem breeding
- Male is left with females most of the year. Not recommended.
- Field breeding
- A female is turned out into a field with a male llama and left there for some period of time. This is the easiest method in terms of labor, but the least useful in terms of prediction of a likely birth date. If your vet is good with ultrasound, you can combine this with the exposure dates to get a better idea when to expect the cria.
- "Hand" breeding
- This is the most efficient method, but requires the most labor. Male and female llama are put into same pen, breeding is monitored. They are then separated and rebred every other day until one or the other refuses the breeding. Usually we can get in two breedings using this method, though we have had some studs that routinely refuse to breed a female more than once. The separation presumably helps to keep the sperm count high for each breeding and also helps to keep the condition of the female llama's reproductive tract more sound. If the breeding doesn't take (check at 2-3 weeks), the female is rebred once again.
Testing for pregnancy
Llamas should be pregnancy tested after breeding at 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, and at least 12 weeks. Note that if you are in harem system, you cannot use method #1...- "Male testing". Catch up the female and also any suitable intact male. If he attempts to breed her and she lies down for him within a fairly short period of time, she is NOT pregnant. (If this male is not the one to whom she is to be bred, lead him off... this make take some dragging on your part, but he will go.) If she remains on her feet, spits, attacks him, or otherwise prevents his being able to mate, assume that she is probably pregnant.
- Progesterone testing. Your veterinarian can take a blood sample and send it off for progesterone testing. A high level can indicate a pregnancy.
- Palpation. In this test, the veterinarian feels around (internally) to detect a pregnancy. There are some risks to the llama, but it is a reasonably accurate method for pregnancy detection.
- Ultrasound. This is the very best, most accurate method in the hands of an experienced veterinarian. If you are concerned about an internal exam, wait until the female is more than 60 days past breeding, at which time the veterinarian can examine her externally. A veterinarian experienced with ultrasound can do an exterior exam and detect a fetus as early as 45 days.
Male testing is free and is usually accurate. However, some hormonal conditions in females can make them reject a male when they are in fact not pregnant, and, more rarely, accept a male when they are pregnant. Progesterone tests can give a high reading in some females with a hormonal problem who are in fact not pregnant. Neither of the previous methods, nor palpation, can give you a reasonably accurate idea of the age of the fetus, while ultrasound can. In addition, ultrasound can distinquish between pregnancy and misleading physical conditions, or between a live and dead fetus. It is really the very best method for pregnancy determination. The big disadvantage of ultrasound is that some training in the use of ultrasound is required, and not all veterinarians have ultrasound equipment (it is expensive).
On our farm we combine male testing with ultrasound. We do all the initial tests using males, and then, when the (presumed) pregnancy is more than 60 - 75 days along, we have our vet out for an ultrasound test to confirm (or deny) the results of our tests.