Llamas: Key Facts and Inca Significance

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Questions and Answers

Why were Llamas unable to pull carts larger than a wheelbarrow?

  • They lack the strength of oxen, camels and horses (correct)
  • They are not accustomed to pulling carts
  • They are not strong enough to pull heavy loads
  • Inca culture did not permit the use of Llamas to pull large carts

How did the Inca use llamas to transport silver ore?

  • They used llamas to pull carts carrying the ore.
  • They used llamas to carry the ore from mines to trading posts.
  • They used llamas to carry the ore on their backs. (correct)
  • They used llamas to transport the ore via boat.

What does the text suggest was the main reason that llamas did not spread beyond the Andes?

  • The geography of the Americas, including deserts and jungles, isolated them. (correct)
  • European arrival and colonization disrupted their natural habitat.
  • The Inca intentionally kept llamas within their own territory.
  • Llamas lacked the ability to adapt to different climates.

Why did few diseases transfer from llamas to humans compared to other livestock?

<p>Llamas were not kept indoors, so they had less contact with humans. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason that llamas are considered “intelligent”?

<p>Their ability to communicate with each other through vocalizations and body language. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a use for llamas mentioned in the text?

<p>Farming (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Based on information provided, what best describes the relationship between llamas and the Inca?

<p>The Inca were dependent on llamas for their economic and social success. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What detail in the text supports the idea that Llamas were important to the Inca economy?

<p>Llamas were used in great numbers to transport silver ore from the Inca mining network (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Llama

A domesticated animal important to the Inca empire, used for transport and wool.

Domestication

The process by which humans keep and breed animals for specific uses.

Inca Empire

A major civilization in South America that thrived in the Andes, utilizing llamas for transport.

Transport

The act of moving goods or people; llamas were key for this in the Andes.

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Adaptations of Llamas

Llamas can survive with little water and eat diverse plants, aiding their utility.

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Export of silver ore

Llamas were pivotal in transporting silver from Inca mines.

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Isolation of Llamas

Llamas were geographically limited to the Andes, unknown to other civilizations like the Aztecs.

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Diseases transmission

Llamas posed less risk for diseases moving to humans compared to other livestock.

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Study Notes

Llamas: Key Facts and Significance

  • Llamas are large mammals, domesticated in the Americas over 5,000 years ago. They are evolutionary cousins of camels.
  • Llamas are herbivores, known for their intelligence and social behavior, tending to hiss, spit, kick, or lie down to protest when annoyed.
  • Llamas average around 4 feet at the shoulder.
  • Llamas are primarily kept for their wool, meat, dung, and hides. They are not milked.
  • Llamas have high tolerance of thirst and can eat a variety of plants.
  • Llamas are adapted to carrying goods over long Andean distances. Their daily average travel is between 15-20 miles. They lack the strength to pull carts or carry humans.

Llama Use in Inca Empire

  • Llamas were crucial to the Inca empire's success.
  • At the time of the Spanish conquest, llamas were extensively used to transport silver ore from mines, including the Potosi mine.
  • Estimates suggest as many as 300,000 llamas were used to transport goods from a single mine.
  • The llamas' limited strength meant they couldn't transport large loads or pull machinery.
  • Geographical barriers isolated the llama to the Andean region, so they were not used beyond the Inca empire.

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