Llamas

Some llamas

Listen to the zoo guide talking about the llamas and do the exercises to practise and improve your listening skills.

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise before you listen. Then do the other exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation

Do this exercise before you listen.

Remote audio URL

Transcript

Zoo guide: OK, are we all together? Right, next we're going to look at the llamas, but actually here we have four different animals which are all from South America and all related to camels. Llamas, which you have probably heard of, over here. And over there alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos.

Llamas and alpacas are both domesticated animals and vicuñas and guanacos are wild. Llamas are the biggest animal – they can grow up to 1.8 metres tall and in the past they were used to carry things. Llamas are very sociable animals and live together in groups, in herds.

Teenager 1: Don't they spit at people, though?

Guide: Well, yes, they can. All members of the camelid family sometimes spit. You don't want to mistreat a llama; it might even spit some of the contents of its stomach at you.

Group of teenagers: Uuuugggh!

Guide: But if you treat them properly they are not likely to. They respond well to being trained and they are usually gentle and curious.

OK, over here we have the alpacas. As you can see, they are smaller than the llamas. They've got smaller faces and they always look as though they are smiling. Look at this one's face.

Group of teenagers: Aaaah!

Guide: The alpaca is famous for its wool, which is softer and warmer than sheep's wool. There's a big demand for alpaca wool from the fashion industry.

Right, next to the alpacas we have the vicuñas. As I said before, these animals are wild and they are thought to be the ancestors of the alpacas. Vicuñas are very elegant and graceful creatures. Look at this one. She's beautiful.

Group of teenagers: Mmmm. She's lovely.

Guide: Have you heard of the Incas? The ancient rulers of Latin America who lived in the Andes? Well, they wore clothes made from vicuña wool – only the royal family were allowed to wear the wool. It is even softer than alpaca wool but vicuñas can only be shorn of their wool every three years. For that reason the wool's very expensive.

And, lastly, we have the guanacos. They are similar to the vicuñas, but larger and stronger. They are capable of surviving at over 4,000 metres in the Andes. When they are in the desert they survive by licking the water off the cacti and other desert plants. Right, any questions?

Teenager 2: I think I can hear this llama making a noise.

Guide: Ah, yes. That could be the llama humming. They don't open their mouths, they just make this strange noise. They hum when they are stressed, or the opposite, feeling relaxed.

Teenager 1: Can llamas live in the UK?

Guide: Yes, there are quite a lot of llamas and alpaca in the UK. They adapt very well to our climate. They make good pets and sometimes they're used for trekking. You go on a picnic and use a llama to carry your food.

Teenager 3: Cool! I want to do that!

Guide: And sometimes farmers use them as guard dogs, I mean guard llama. The adult males will protect sheep and hens from animals that might attack them, like dogs or foxes. They're really useful animals.

Discussion

What's your favourite wild animal? Why?

Language level
Average: 3.2 (23 votes)
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Comments

Submitted by sanyalearning on Sun, 12/10/2023 - 04:55

My favorite wild animal is a brown bear that lives in Russian forests. I preferred this animal because it looks like very big. Although brown bears seems clumsy, they still can run very fast. Striking strength affects me greatly. I wouldn't want go come to bear If i saw it.

Submitted by Teddygoldinou75015 on Thu, 12/07/2023 - 17:00

My favourite wild animal is the wolf because it's the dog's ancestor. It is also a very cute, beautiful, intelligent animal.

Submitted by iamjustin on Thu, 11/23/2023 - 07:13

i am cat lover

Submitted by LAU.X9 on Wed, 08/23/2023 - 03:17

My favorite animal is cat ,cause they're so cutes
And i love went i'm played with them

Submitted by Tisha_K. on Wed, 08/16/2023 - 11:01

My favorite animal is monkey because they're cute, funny, and intelligent

Submitted by kipla on Sat, 06/17/2023 - 15:19

My favourite animal is a snake, because they are frightening

Submitted by haydendemonlizard on Thu, 01/05/2023 - 15:43

I love alpacas, they're so fluffy!! I actually don't like animals very much, I feel uncomfortable when I'm around them, except for cats. Also I want a domestic alpaca. Now.

Submitted by Wendy on Thu, 08/25/2022 - 13:36

When I was a child, sometimes my sister told me about animals, so naturally, I am very keen on animals. I think my favorite wild animal is a tiger. Tiger is a strong and independent animal. Therefore, I also want to become a strong and self-reliant person as it.

Submitted by ittsmezey on Tue, 08/16/2022 - 13:33

my favorite wild animal is koala -i don't know exactly if koalas are wild animal- i love them because they are cute and adorable. they look like soft. i really wanna hug them.

Submitted by Edaa on Wed, 06/08/2022 - 06:05

my favorite animal of course chicken is very smart pets my dears.

Submitted by aycauzz1 on Wed, 06/08/2022 - 06:00

My favorite animals are monkeys and rabbits. They are very sweet

Submitted by 01Aras on Tue, 06/07/2022 - 10:39

My favorite animal is the parrot because I like them to repeat what I said
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Submitted by ActivatorChicken on Thu, 03/24/2022 - 09:44

I like the chicken

Submitted by lama06 on Tue, 12/28/2021 - 09:22

My fevourite wild animal is the lion, because its strong.
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Submitted by natsu on Thu, 12/02/2021 - 17:32

my favourite wild animal is the tiger of Bengala because it is beautiful
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Submitted by Elpro202 on Sun, 07/25/2021 - 04:11

My favorite wild animal is the lion because it's is the "King of the animals" and I love it's yellowish color.

Submitted by ironman1708 on Fri, 07/02/2021 - 07:04

so good!

Submitted by cacahuate2000 on Wed, 05/19/2021 - 18:52

because there is so beautiful

Submitted by cacahuate2000 on Wed, 05/19/2021 - 18:48

My favorite wild animal is de black lion
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Submitted by Andrii on Mon, 04/26/2021 - 18:13

My favourite animal is frog. I don't know why, maybe because they're calm and they're funny when they're croaking.

Submitted by Cutefox on Sat, 04/10/2021 - 06:40

My favorite wild animals is the lynx. The predator lives in the northern regions, where there is a lot of snow and quite frosty winters.The lynx is a beautiful, graceful predator from the cat family. I like the lynx because it is one of the most intelligent and dangerous predators.
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Submitted by rafaelyeshua on Mon, 12/28/2020 - 19:39

my favourite animal are cats, they are very curious, beautiful, they are very skilled, they run very fast, they are little, that's because they can be in a house without problems... they are perfect for be in a smaller yard or house
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Submitted by Xuka on Sat, 08/29/2020 - 17:00

I am crazy about pandas. "The looks of a teddy bear" are what make pandas so popular. Pandas appeal to our "cuteness receptors" because they have large, front-facing eyes, and are extremely furry, so we, therefore, think of them as cuddly and cute. They are good at climbing trees and can also swim. You know what? Pandas are born looking like baby badgers, in fact, fur-less, pink, and blind. Pandas go from pink to white and black (or brown). I hope to be able to once visit a panda park in China.

Submitted by cookiepg on Wed, 08/26/2020 - 02:08

My favourite animal is cat and bunny

Submitted by Vuquan on Thu, 08/20/2020 - 08:28

My favorite wild animal is lion because it look beautiful and so strong.

Submitted by helenblack on Mon, 08/03/2020 - 13:57

My favorite animals are lions.They are very strong, fearless and so cool.They never leave their families and dormitories, they are ready to do everything to defend them, and they are also very good hunters. They referred to "King Of The Forests" and I think, they absolutely deserve this name! Although they are so predatory and wild, they are also very good parents for their cubs. They do everything they can to grow and protect them, they always play their cubs and so, lions are one of the few wild animals with genuine family affection! I LOVE THE LIONS VERY MUCH!!!

Submitted by Mamou1 on Mon, 07/20/2020 - 09:44

Personally I think the lions are my favorite wild animal, even if I can't touch them because I'm scared . I love them because their really beautiful and their Strong. I think their afraid of nothing and their also considered like the king of all the animals it's really amazing.

Submitted by alhawaiti123 on Tue, 06/16/2020 - 16:52

My fav animal is the Arctic fox because of their soft white fur and the fact that they can live in extremely cold and freezing regions (btw when I heard there were only 200 Arctic wolves left in the world that made me feel so sad ;-;)

Submitted by LochNess on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 07:41

my favourite animal is a Hyena i think they're strong and have eyes that can glow in the dark.
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Submitted by tonkymonkey on Fri, 04/17/2020 - 00:30

Ⅰ like dogs they are cute and strong, Ⅰ have a toy poodle she is very fluffy and cute♡
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Submitted by english_groupies on Wed, 09/04/2019 - 16:56

I love wolves because they are wild and beautiful with black and white fur and they are cute ^^

Submitted by Thu on Fri, 08/16/2019 - 08:08

My favourite wild animal is the pandas. Because they fat, their height, their color (very pure: black and white), their loveliness, their faces (it looks so funny). And there also has a cartoon named: "We bare bear" so I love them even more. : >
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Submitted by Batgirl on Sat, 11/17/2018 - 20:42

My favourite wild animal is a panther, because it looks very graceful and beautiful. But it is also very fast and dangerous. And its black shimmering hair looks amazing!

Submitted by Ostap on Thu, 05/31/2018 - 10:01

I like dogs. Because they are realy good friends for people)
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Submitted by the_alchemist on Tue, 04/03/2018 - 14:41

Zebra is my favourite wild animal.
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Submitted by Ahjeen on Fri, 02/23/2018 - 17:04

Cat Cat Cat Cat the best! A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E -Adorable Dainty Original Reliable Amazing Beautiful Lovely Elegant!
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Submitted by Ken on Sat, 02/24/2018 - 10:18

Wow! I'm blashing! It's yours truly.... .〃∩ ∧_∧     ⊂⌒( ・ω・)      \_っ⌒/⌒c       ⌒ ⌒ 

In reply to by Ahjeen

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Submitted by Ahjeen on Mon, 02/26/2018 - 08:37

Oh yes! That's right! My favourite=CATS

In reply to by Ken

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Submitted by bilko on Thu, 02/01/2018 - 19:06

My favourite animals are dog, cat, horse and rabbit because they are very cute and funny. I love all of them but especially horses because of their elegance and nobility. Thanks to this listening part i have learned alpacas, vicunas and guanacos. I live in Turkey unfortunately i can't see this kind of animals. :( :(
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