A bizarre llama craze has erupted in New England as the animals have become popular for emotional support, companionship and to star in beautiful pictures.
The Big E, a regional show in New England, hosts annual llama events at their exhibit that have drawn large crowds over the years.
Llama participation in the state fair’s competitions has increased by 10 percent since last year and the llama market is booming, according to experts.
The series of llama events includes costume contests, fur judging and lots of llama shows. One event challenges llamas to remain calm during a test that involves opening an umbrella, sudden noises and unexpected movements.
The fair is also where llama sales are negotiated, with the average male going for about $500, while a breeding female can cost anywhere from $7,000 to $15,000. For many, this is a small price to pay for all that a llama has to offer.
The Big E, a regional show in New England, hosts annual llama events at their exhibit that have drawn large crowds over the years
A bizarre llama craze has erupted in New England as the animals have become popular for emotional support, companionship and to star in beautiful photos
Llama participation in state fair competitions has risen 10 percent each year and the llama market is on the upswing, according to experts
According to experts, North American llamas make better pets than their South American relatives. They can be quiet, friendly and affectionate, they are easy to train and their fiber is highly valued by knitters.
Compared to llamas from South America, New England llamas are more commonly domesticated. They can be walking companions, therapy animals, models for photo shoots, friendly guards for other livestock and even golf caddies.
Although the animal is native to the Andes, they are also suited to the rocky terrain and cool climate of New England, where they can live on small farms and be hunted by their owners.
Carol Millard, the llama show superintendent at The Big E, tells The New York Times that people who moved to the countryside during the pandemic found llamas to be charismatic and useful additions to their small farms.
The pandemic has brought the llama market out of the long lull it fell into after the Great Recession of 2008, and now the animal’s popularity has soared, mirrored by the Big E’s llama rise.
The Big E includes each of the six New England states and offers participants plenty of activities, food stands, rides and, of course, llama events. The fair began as a dairy show in 1916 and has since turned into a 17-day extravaganza.
Due to the popularity of the event, which featured viral DJ Zedd as one of their main stage performers, the prize money on offer for successful llama shows is considered huge.
Compared to llamas from South America, New England llamas are more domesticated. They can be walking companions, therapy animals, models for photo shoots, friendly guards for other livestock and even golf lockers.
Although the animal is native to the Andes, they are also suited to the rocky terrain and cool climate of New England, where they can live on small farms and be hunted by their owners.
The average male costs about $500 while a breeding female can cost from $7,000 to $15,000. For many, this is a small price to pay for all that a llama has to offer
Top winners at llama competitions can take home up to $101, which barely covers the cost of raising llamas and getting them stage-ready, but the shows are great for demonstrating how good a farm’s breeding program is
Top winners can take home up to $101, which barely covers the cost of raising llamas and getting them stage ready, but the shows are great for demonstrating how good a farm’s breeding program is.
The llama, not to be confused with the camel or the alpaca, can grow as tall as 6 feet and usually weighs between 180 and 450 pounds.
The well-behaved animals don’t bite – but they do spit when they’re angry.
Llamas are vegetarians and they have very efficient digestive systems – a factor that contributes to their long lifespans, which can be up to 30 years old.
Llama fiber is prized for being soft and lightweight but still warm, while the coarse outer layer is ideal for rugs and ropes.