OT Cuidado, hay llamas (was Re: What features do P-I-E languages have in common?

John Cowan wrote:

> Thomas R. Wier scripsit:
>
> > An additional difficulty is that llamas are quite difficult to breed;
> > they cannot be kept indoors, for example, or anywhere near humans.
> > This impedes their use as beasts of burden, even after domestication.
>
> In addition, they can carry loads but not pull them, IIRC.
>
My thought too. They're not all that strong, though they're quite nimble of
foot-- perhaps a cart would impede that.  Also perhaps not quite a suitable
vehicle for steep and narrow Andean paths.  And maybe their neck and chest
is such that most harnesses would impede breathing???

I've been seeing a certain commercial lately encouraging alpaca-ranching. I
think there's a website.  Now there's one cute animal, but aside from their
wool, what are they good for?  I'm sure we don't eat them.........