In Aymara mythology, llamas are important beings. As of 2007, there were over seven million llamas and alpacas in South America and over 158,000 llamas and 100,000 alpacas, descended from progenitors imported late in the 20th century, in the United States and Canada.
By the end of the last ice age (10,000–12,000 years ago), camelids were extinct in North America. The ancestors of llamas are thought to have originated from the Great Plains of North America about 40 million years ago, and subsequently migrated to South America about three million years ago during the Great American Interchange. The name llama (in the past also spelled 'lama' or 'glama') was adopted by European settlers from native Peruvians. When using a pack, they can carry about 25 to 30% of their body weight for 8 to 13 km (5–8 miles). Llamas can learn simple tasks after a few repetitions. Their wool is soft and contains only a small amount of lanolin. Llamas are social animals and live with others as a herd. The llama ( / ˈ l ɑː m ə/ Spanish pronunciation: or ) ( Lama glama) is a domesticated South American camelid, widely used as a meat and pack animal by Andean cultures since the pre-Columbian era.
