Despite rumors, they really don't tend to spit at people

Don't worry. They're not going to spit at you.

For some reason, the only thing most people know about these fuzzy, long-necked, soft-haired creatures is that they spit, said Julie Koenig, leader of the Lucky Longneck Llama 4-H Club. However llamas rarely spit at humans.

"They spit at each other all the time," Koenig said. "That's normal llama to llama communication."

Spitting can mean a lot of things between llamas, she said. It might mean go eat somewhere else; find another girl, I'm already pregnant; or just leave me alone.

Llamas usually only spit at people when they're being teased, provoked or hurt, Koenig said.

Koenig and three 4-H club members were showing off llamas Friday afternoon at the Benton County Fair.

The Lucky Longneck Llama 4-H Club has 14 members this year, which is a large increase from the seven it had last year, Koenig said.

"Based on how much positive reaction there's been, they'll be more," she said.

Erin McCall-O'Dell, 16, has been raising llamas through 4-H for three years.

"I just like llamas because they're so curious," she said. Most horses don't have much curiosity.

On the other hand, you can ride a horse, but you can't ride a llama, she said.

As she looked across the fairgrounds to the kids washing their cows, she added, "You don't have to kill them after you're done with them."

The 4-H members always had one llama out for passer-bys to pet. They could even feed it for a minimum donation of 25 cents.

Along with a number of adult llamas, Freedom, a one month-old baby llama, left the ranch where it was born for the first time to attend the fair on Friday.

"She was born on the sixth of July," Koenig said. "She almost made it."

Even after raising llamas for 16 years, Koenig isn't really sure why they have long necks. Her best theory is that it has something to do with self defense.

Llamas have padded feet, like dogs, so they can't kick. They don't have any upper front teeth, so they can't bite. While this makes them excellent animals for kids to work with, it doesn't leave them with much of a way to protect themselves. Koenig assumes that llamas in the wild with longer necks had a better view of their surroundings and was therefore more likely to spot a predator.

Today at the fair

Saturday, Aug. 6, Swing Day

All day: Willamette Valley Fiddle Fest, Floral Courtyard

11:30 a.m.: Baby Celebration signups, Family Fun Stage

Noon: Baby Celebration (Emcee Uncle Mitch), Family Fun Stage

12:30 p.m.: Fiesta Mexicana 4-H Dancers, Plaza Stage

1 p.m.: Beaver Country Band, Family Fun Stage

1 p.m.: Evan's Crazy Juggling, Arena Stage

1:30 p.m.: Pet Tricks Variety Show (Roger & Mitch emcee), Plaza Stage

2 p.m.: Terry Godfrey Magic, Family Fun Stage

2:15 p.m.: Jolly Roger Fountain, Arena Stage

2:30 p.m.: Chata Addy & Shi dah, Plaza Stage

3 p.m.: Jest in Time Circus of Fools, Family Fun Stage

3:30 p.m.: Terry Godfrey, Plaza Stage

3:30 p.m.: Fiddle Champions and Judges Show, Floral Courtyard

4 p.m.: International Roundup of Dance, Family Fun Stage

4:30 p.m.: Dragon Puppet Theater, Arena Stage

5 p.m.: Chata Addy & Shi dah, Plaza Stage

5:30 p.m.: Jolly Roger Fountain, Arena Stage

6 p.m.: Jest in Time Circus of Fools, Family Fun Stage

6 p.m.: Bob Manning & Nashville West, Main Stage

6:30 p.m.: Dragon Puppet Theater, Arena Stage

7 p.m.: Power Pep Band, Family Fun Stage

7 p.m.: Terry Godfrey Magic, Plaza Stage

7:30 p.m.: Hilltop Big Band, Main Stage

8:30 p.m.: Jest in Time Circus of Fools, Family Fun Stage

8:30 p.m.: Karaoke finals, Plaza Stage

9 p.m.: Karaoke Open Mic, Plaza Stage

9 p.m.: Shandi and The In-Clines, Main Stage

9:30 p.m.: Terry Godfrey, Family Fun Stage

10 p.m.: Shandi and The In-Clines, Main Stage

Around the grounds: Patches of Sunshine Clowns, Uncle Mitch, Wheelboy, Todd & Lili, Power Pep Band and Jolly Roger