A llama is a large, woolly animal that lives in the mountains of South America, especially in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. Llamas look a bit like camels without humps, standing about six feet tall at the head, with long necks, banana-shaped ears, and thick, shaggy coats that can be white, brown, black, or spotted.

For thousands of years, people in the Andes Mountains have used llamas to carry heavy loads up steep mountain paths. A llama can carry about 75 pounds and walk for miles without complaint. They're also raised for their soft wool, which is woven into warm blankets, sweaters, and other clothing.

Llamas are surprisingly smart and have distinct personalities. They're generally gentle and curious, but if a llama feels annoyed or threatened, it might spit at you (a gross but mostly harmless spray of saliva and partly digested food). They also hum softly to communicate with each other, making a sound that's oddly soothing to hear.

Don't confuse llamas with alpacas, their smaller, fluffier cousins. Alpacas are bred mainly for their incredibly soft wool, while llamas are the hardworking pack animals of the group.