Welcome to the New Hampshire Lama Association’s Home Page!

We hope you enjoy going through our home page and that this experience will be both enjoyable and educational. Please feel free to send us comments on what you like, what you don’t like, and what you would like to see in the future.

Photo By: Charlotte Sankey
Karen Stoner spinning llama fiber at the 2003 Hopkinton Fair

Why do people own llamas and alpacas? Because they are gentle, calm, easy to care for, companionable and just plain FUN!!! Next time you’re at a lama event, take a llama for a walk! They are very easy to handle, even small children are able to walk adult lamas! People in New Hampshire have discovered the joy of taking lamas into nursing homes and watching the patients’ eyes LIGHT UP at the sight of these animals going from bed to bed, allowing the patients to touch them. Packing is also a great family event in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Take a picnic lunch and enjoy the view!

Photo By: J. Rice
Summit in his Christmas Clothes

Have you ever touched an item made out of lama fiber? It’s 5 times warmer than sheep wool, very soft, and people who are algergic to sheep can often wear lama fiber without any problem. In New Hampshire, there are people who own alpacas and llamas that sell the fiber and products made from it. Give it a try!

Photo By: J. Rice
Gail Sanborn and her llama Cadbury Special Chocolate

Ever wanted to go for a carriage ride? Llamas can be trained to be hitched to a cart and enjoy the thrill of taking people for a ride! What a sight to see!

Photo By: B. Daley
Judy Daley and Polar Bear watching TV

Lamas (the one “L” includes all four types of South American lamas: llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas) are native to South America and are found in all states in the United States. We hope that everyone has the pleasure of meeting and touching a lama someday. They can be addicting!

Photo By: J. Rice
Hulk, a bactrian camel owned by Mary Ledoux, that lives in New Hampshire.

Did you know that the closest relatives to llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas are the bactrian camel and the dromedary camel? All camelids originated in North America. Some went to South America and became the lamas, others went to Asia and became the camel. Camel fiber is a little different from lama, as it does have some oil in it, but is still beautiful to spin and use.

Photo By: Sue Simpson
Puddin, a young cria, resting