Proinking?

[Shiloh Acres]

Isn't that what it's called?

Yesterday I had the goats in the garden, and the llama was alone in the pasture. She put on a fantastic show. Her legs stiff, she bounced around like she was on springs. From the end of the pasture near the garden, back to the other end where I used to feed her. I called her and she bounced back over to me. Then back to the feeding spot. She boinked up and down the length of the pasture several times, making clicking noises with her mouth.

Then she threw her neck much further back than normal, head held high, and strutted around. She looked very proud, and not the annoyed "get back or I'll spit on you" stance.

Any clues what that behavior means?

She might just be enjoying the cold weather. She's been very -- ah, "spirited" -- here lately, LOL. Running straight up to me like a crazy thing and poking her nose in everything, slipping through open gates (I left them open so she can graze in the chicken yard but she THINKS she's getting away with a no-no, LOL.).

Basically she's been a lot of fun to watch, but yesterday was too cool. Wish I'd had a video camera!!!

 

[ksalvagno]

When they do that, that are just happy and enjoying life. It is fun to watch.

 

[Shiloh Acres]

Thanks, Karen.

Happy was my first guess. But since the goats were enjoying garden leftovers and the llama wasn't, and since she kept running to the place I used to feed her, just wanted to make sure. She SEEMED pretty happy and excited though. She's just been silly lately.

I'm enjoying her. She's usually pretty stately and stand-offish. Very dominant animal with strong ideas about how everything should go and everyone should behave, LOL. I'm glad she likes the little goats and tolerates the geese, else there'd be trouble.

But yes, she seems very happy these days. I'm glad, because she's still an only-llama. Someday maybe I'll have an itty-bitty herd of them, if finances allow. I still hope she'll turn out to be pregnant. She's got a few more months of that possibility.

 

[ksalvagno]

It usually doesn't show till the end if they are pregnant. Llamas and alpacas are great at hiding their pregnancy. It is really fun to watch a herd of them run and pronk.

 

[MrsCountryChick]

Hmmm... I thought that bouncey walk gallop was called 'spronging'? It's cute no matter what it's called.

 

[Shiloh Acres]

Thanks, y'all.

I think I got it wrong. What Karen said -- it's called "pronking" when antelopes and such do it. I was not sure if the term applied to llamas or not? I like "spronging" or better yet "sproinging" too ... I'm with you ... It's fun to watch whatever you call it.

She must be a happy girl these days. She acts all silly and bouncy much of the time. I'm glad she's happy.

I won't know for a while yet if she's pregnant. The previous owner couldn't tell me when he stopped running the sire with the females. He has a pretty large herd, so I am wondering how likely he is to cover what percentage of them or how many females a sire can hendle. I don't really WANT a cria this time of year anyway. If she had it in March or so that would be much better. I'm still very worried about the coyote situation -- it would just kill me if she had a cria and they got it. She won't go in at night though I have a secure place to lock her up ... So I put her in the backyard at night with lights shining on her. I know no fence will keep out coyotes perfectly but this one is built to keep dogs in. The barbed wire across the back is faced with regular small fencing. And my dog is right inside the window and the geese are in an open coop back there and usually put up a fuss if they see anything.

Still, I don't want a birth happening out there or a tiny cria.

I would probably have to INSIST she be locked in if she has a baby.

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

I love the lead changes when they're pronking... so neat!

 

[Shiloh Acres]

I love the lead changes when they're pronking... so neat!

ah, now that I don't get to see, having only one llama. I SO wish my male cria hadn't died. Still miss him.

But I love watching my girl. Yesterday she went through the middle of the goose flock -- slowly so they had plenty of time to get out of her way but I'm sure she did it on purpose.

She's a character.

 

[ksalvagno]

There are a few different names for pronking. Most people call it pronking but when it comes right down to it, it really doesn't matter what you call it. It is enjoyable to watch and it is good to know that the animals are feeling good and happy at that moment.