Nova (11/9/98 NYR Super Nova) was a year old when we bought her in 1999. She has brown, short fiber with a white blaze on her face. She was not accustomed to walking on uneven ground so she feared going downhill. Uphill was not a problem, but downhill was a crisis. She would readily go into the llama trailer, but was very cautious about stepping out. If given the opportunity, she would back out of the trailer. Now she is accustomed to complicated ground.

Nova wanted to be the most dominate herd member. She is the one most often engaged in chase and wrestle - usually directed at Glacier or Apu. Nova will sometimes mount Glacier when he is kushed and start a bout of wrestle/chase that always ends with Glacier running for his dignity. Nova goes for the tender places! Both Nova and Apu direct wrestle/chase to Glacier. They never target Warpaint or Magic.

At feeding time, Nova plans ahead. All of the other llamas focus their attention on the shed where the feed is stored, and impatiently escort the human who is carrying the feed buckets to their feeding stalls. Nova, in contrast, goes straight to her feed bowl and waits for the food to come to her.

Nova is a pleasure as a hiking or parade companion. She handles well, and does not hesitate to vocalize her thoughts. She is the only llama in our group who will present for touch and growl - cooperating and commenting at the same time.

Nova is a "classic" llama, that is she has very light fiber - very short to nonexistent on her rump, belly, and legs. She gets cold and shivers below 40 degrees. We put a polar fleece coat over her, secured with a velcro strap. She can rub it off on foliage when she gets too warm. A friend gave us a heavier, padded coat that she prefers in sub-freezing weather. She "asks" for the coat by coming to the front door during darkness, by blocking our way when we're outside, and standing sideways to indicate her willingness to be clothed. It is not necessary to halter or restrain her when putting the coat on her.