Snakeproofing Llamas
After our four year old gelded male llama, Glacier, was bitten by a rattlesnake (see photos), we were determined to do what we could to prevent a reoccurrence of the near fatal event. A friend told me about Harlan Winter, owner of Winter Kennels (512-263-2416), near Austin, TX who "snakeproofed" dogs. I was impressed with what Harlan related during my telephone query and his experience: for 30 years he has taught dogs to avoid rattlers, and though he never worked with llamas, he was willing to give it a try. He uses a pet shock collar with four levels of shock (ranging from a tingle to extreme) operated by a hand-held remote transmitter. He surgically removes the venom glands from his rattlers. He came to our place on 13 Aug 2000 to snakeproof our dog, Jarre, and five llamas. Harlan's wife, Kay, videotaped the training sessions. (See Harlan and Viper to right)Harlan placed a four foot female rattlesnake, Viper, in an open, shady area (her nearby cage contributed to the scent that he wanted the llamas to get and remember). Jarre was the first subject, so we could see the typical response of the dog and observe the training method. On a leash, Jarre was led from downwind toward the snake until he smelled it. As he approached within striking distance of the rattling snake, Harlan delivered a #2 shock, and Jarre shied away from it, hid behind the handler, and wouldn't approach the snake again.
Glacier was our first llama subject. He had intently observed Jarre's encounter from the other side of the fence with an alert posture, ears forward. Harlan didn't think Glacier would associate his previous snakebite with the terrible pain he suffered, predicting that he would behave the same as an uninitiated llama. And he was proved right. Led by Harlan, Glacier approached warily after picking up the scent, was attentive to the rattling sound, was shocked at #2 level, and bolted away. Harlan picked up Viper with his snake stick and moved her toward Glacier who avoided their approach.
Warpaint, three year old gelded male, and Nova, 20 mo old female, behaved the same as Glacier. So did Apu, three and a half year old female, but she was the least fearful initially, approaching within striking distance as soon as she smelled the snake. After the #2 shock, they would not approach the snake, and moving it toward them elicited avoidance. (Photo at right: Warpaint approaches Viper)
And then there was smart, hardwilled, obstreperous Siesta, 17 mo old female, accustomed to doing only what she wanted and when she wanted. She did not want to participate in whatever was going on, so she was already in resistant mode. The same procedure elicited no effect when she approached Viper, and she quickly lost interest. Setting the collar to maximum shock, and repeating the trial, also had no effect. Siesta didn't even flinch. The collar battery was checked and it was operating correctly. Wetting her neck and replacing the collar, Harlan approached her with Viper held in his stick. Viper struck Siesta on the nose as the #4 shock was applied (the skin wasn't punctured). She just flinched and retreated a few steps.
Harlan wanted to observe a herd response to the snake, so he placed it in the yard. The llamas kept their distance from it, except for Apu. She approached within striking distance so we reapplied the collar and repeated the process. Harlan presented Viper on the snake stick to the herd and they all moved away, alertly watching.
In summary, we were disappointed that our llamas showed so little initial fear of the snake and delighted that at least for some of them, rattlers are now considered a danger. Harlan suggested that he return next spring for a follow-up to see if they have lost their fear. After one exposure to Harlan's rattlers, dogs retain a lifetime respect for them. We hope it lasts as long for llamas.