Guard llamas are used in farming to protect sheep, goats, hens or other livestock from coyotes, dogs, foxes and other predators. They are instinctively alert and aware of their surroundings, and they defend against predators by chasing, kicking or spitting at them.

Plus they are tall enough to be a guard tower

The only one I’ve been around was only effective as an alarm. If the llama was not with the sheep then we knew something was wrong – she would “hide” in the far corner of the pasture.

A friend who had sheep always had a donkey and a llama. The llama was a great watchman, and would try to chase off coyotes. The donkey would swoop in and finish the fight. They would both run to meet you and beg for pets and treats, but they occasionally were a bit bloody.

I read somewhere that donkeys are also beneficial for livestock protection. There is a photo somewhere of a donkey with a dead coyote in it’s mouth.

I remember learning this in college and my professor very pointedly stated “sheep need a herd protector because we’ve overdomesticated them to the point that they’re so dumb, if a predator were to come they would just lay down and die.” And I will always cherish this piece of information.

They gained this behavior from defending their own herds from culpeos and pumas in their native South America.

Years ago when I moved out into the country I wondered why so many farms had an alpaca or llama. I asked the farm kids at school and they all said this.

r/AnimalsBeingBros

These guys are such an eco friendly way to keep predators away. No need for the government to spend millions to shoot, trap and poison wolves and coyotes. Plus you can sell their wool. What a bonus.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guard_llama

Sheep dog 2.0

They need spike collars.

My grandparents raised sheep when I was a kid. I wanted them to get a guard llama so bad. Never did.

In addition they cannot mate with wild canids. This has happened a few times with male guard dogs mating with female wild wolves.

I very much approve of this post!

Spit on the non believers

My friend has a guard llama for her sheep.

I love llamas and think they’re cute, so wanted a closer look. This guy (girl?) AGGRESSIVELY put himself between me and the sheep. Very effective!

Ya, my parents have one to guard their sheep. His name is Banner. He’s an asshole.

Donkeys will perform the same. Neighbors friends has donkeys to protect their livestock. Friends dog went was curious and tried to put his head under the fence to say hi. Donkey wasn’t having it; donkey hair puffed up and came running to stomp the dogs head. That donkey scary!

yall laughing and joking, but the lama spit is an absolute pain if he got you in a bad spot

#TALL ONE SHALL PROTECT US

Good llama.

Spitting at them.. ook I laughed way too much at this. Good llamas!

Militarized cud with power and accuracy of a M1 tank.

My uncle had a llama named Chico