Llamas of the Andes
Mountain Home
High in the Andes, a llama walks among rocks and grass. The Andes are a long chain of mountains in South America.
The air high in the mountains can be cold. Llamas have thick, shaggy coats that help keep them warm.
Feet and Food
A llama has two toes on each foot. The bottom of each foot has a tough, soft pad.
These pads help the llama walk on rocky ground. They also help it grip the ground as it moves.
Llamas eat grass and shrubs, which are small, woody plants. A llama can find these plants growing in the mountains.
Its long neck helps it reach down to feed. It can also lift its head high to look around.
Llamas and People
Llamas are domestic animals. That means people have raised them for a very long time.
For thousands of years, people in the Andes have used llamas to carry loads. A llama can carry goods along mountain paths.
People still raise llamas in some Andean communities today. Llamas can provide wool as well as help carry loads.
A warm coat and padded feet help a llama live in its mountain home. Its long history with people is part of life in the Andes, too.
- shaggy:
- Having long, thick, messy hair.
- tough:
- Strong and not easily torn or hurt.
- grip:
- To hold on firmly.
- loads:
- Things that are carried.
- provide:
- To give or supply something.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Where do llamas live in the passage?
- 2How does a llama’s coat help it in the mountains?
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About this report passage for Lower Elementary
“Llamas of the Andes” is a report reading passage about Llama Adaptations, written for Lower Elementary. It takes about 1 minute to read (208 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.