Is it true that llama spit is sticky and smelly? and why?

Question

Is it true that llama spit is sticky and smelly? and why?

Answer 1

It's a defense mechanism, some action pics in the link !

Answer 2

Yes.  Because it is not just spit.  They actually vomit up their stomach contents.

http://home.ptd.net/~washnee/spitting.dw...

Answer 3

Sometimes it is.  There are "degrees" of spitting, and usually you will see a warning first.  When they are really upset, they can spit their stomach contents, normally grass or hay, sometimes grain.  It is sticky, usually green, and smells REALLY, REALLY bad.  However, it's pretty harmless other than just being kind of gross.  I'd rather be spit on by a llama than kicked by a cow or horse, or bitten by a dog, any day.  Spit is a lot less painful.

Also, a properly raised & trained llama will not spit at people.  Petting zoo llamas tend to be spitty and have poor attitudes because they are in one of the worst environments possible for a llama, and they are usually mis-handled starting from a young age and never properly trained.  Llamas aren't like goats or calves, and a bottle fed llama (unless raised by a llama professional) is destined to have major behavior problems to the point of possibly being dangerous later on.  In a normal setting, llamas use spitting to settle disagreements within the herd, and they will spit at each other, but they are too respectful of people to spit at them.