Most births occur in the daytime and happen within 15 to 30 minutes. Babies are on their feet and nursing within the first hour. Weight of a normal baby varies between 18 to 30 pounds. Mothers are protective and hum to keep babies close. Babies begin to eat roughage after several weeks and can be weaned at 6 months of age.
Maturity occurs at different ages for different llamas.
Females weighing at least 250 pounds are bred for the first time between 18 and 24 months. They are induced ovulators and will breed at any time of the year. There are no outward signs of an estrus cycle, but the male seems to know when a female will accept him. A male typically is ready to begin breeding between two and three years of age. A female remains fertile up to 20 years, if in good health.