Quick Facts
- Related Topics:
- Animal behaviour
- llama
- spitting
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Within spitting distance
Llamas, pictured at Machu Picchu, Peru, can spit as far as 33 feet (10 meters).
Why do llamas spit?
Llamas spit for a number of reasons. When a llama feels threatened, it might spit to protect itself or to maintain its position within the group. During mating season, males spit at each other when fighting over females, who might spit at a male to stop his advances. Sometimes llamas spit when they are annoyed or to establish dominance. And although llamas rarely spit at humans, they will when overloaded or mistreated.
What exactly do llamas spit? It isn’t just saliva. When a llama spits, it also regurgitates partially digested food from its stomach. If that wasn’t bad enough, llama’s spit can travel up to 33 feet (10 meters).
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
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