Gwen (fishingcat)'s photos with the keyword: AF-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

No, Elahn doesn't have milk on his knees. His knees have a slight medial deviation ("knock" knees). This is not uncommon in nursing lama babies. The show people (as well as those breeders who sell at weaning, while the "cute" factor is at maximum and production costs are lowest) get really bent out of shape about milk knees, but unless the baby receives poor nutrition after weaning, it gradually resolves. Elahn's sire Credo also had "milk knees", as have several other babies sired by Elahn's paternal grandsire Sky Rocket. Credo outgrew his by age 2.5 years, and so that's about what I'm expecting Elahn will do. It would be nice if Elahn's legs were pretty always, but bottom line is that it isn't an issue for the long haul. Babies born that way, or seriously crooked by this time — that would be different (although a huge number of other defects will ruin a llama's quality of life and/or stop it from packing long before knock knees will).

Llamas produce small amounts of rich milk rather than the larger quantities produced by the domestic animals we're used to (and have enhanced through selective breeding). Babies nurse often, but not for particularly long. Camels, sharing the same family, have the same "strategy".

At first it doesn't seem so bad — big llama and little llama get to sniff each other. Dazzle's hormones are obviously shifting or she would be spitting and threatening rather than sniffing.

Another lesson, this one incomplete because of the physical separation — Konrad (or any other goose, especially in the spring) might grab a beakful of wool and beat the [censored :-)] out of a baby llama. An important lesson, but a very dangerous one at such a young age. Hence the fence!

Around one week of age, young llamas redirect their instinctive mouthiness to grass and hay, just to see what it is. The moss on the concrete post support isn't edible, but how else is she to find that out? Moms provide no guidance other than example ... and, in some cases, deterrent behavior — some moms share their grain ration with their current baby, and some do NOT share with anybody!

... and if you know what's good for you, you'll back away slowly and leave me alone. Misty demonstrates the bluffing posture of a very nervous llama (if this were video, you'd also hear clucking and see her cheeks puff out with each "cluck"). Misty's issues stem entirely from a LONG treatment (years ago) for a huge abscess below her eye and apparent residual nerve damage and possibly vision compromise. Once Misty knows she can trust whoever it is to not physically overpower her, she LOVES to be scratched.

This particular ears-back position is for keeping track of what's going on behind, usually pasturemates or other critters.

Approaching 23 years and, unfortunately, showing it. The Classic llamas I've had into old age thus far really "hit the wall" at 22.5 years. This winter, Zorra has gone from active and healthy to reduced muscle mass, lying around more, not so excited about having babies in the pasture, and a lot of hair loss. Sigh. The hair loss particularly distresses me because my experiences treating skin disorders in llamas have been VERY discouraging. :-(

Elahn is young; he feels he should have "personal space" but doesn't yet understand that other animate beings also feel the same way, and as such, are going to defend said space. Elahn is merely curious; Teewinot says he is being fresh (see her ears and pinched lips) and then, because Elahn doesn't "listen", she emphasizes her point with the current contents of her mouth. Were there not a fence between, there might also be physical emphases as well, including pushing bodies and stomping front legs.