Cria Season Has Begun at the Ranch!
JAMES TAYLOR
Spring on the ranch always brings a sense of anticipation, but this year the excitement arrived right on schedule. Cria season officially began on March 6, 2026, when our first baby of the year made his debut. We welcomed James Taylor to the ranch — a healthy, curious little guy who has already captured our hearts.
For those unfamiliar with the term, a cria (KREE-uh) is the name for a baby llama. Watching them take their first wobbly steps beside their mothers is one of the great joys of ranch life.
A Musical Theme for 2026
Each year we choose a naming theme for our babies, and 2026 is all about music. Since our first arrival is James Taylor, the rest of this year's crias will also be named after musical artists. We’re expecting 8–10 more babies between now and May, so there will be plenty of musical inspiration coming to the pasture!
The Waiting Game: Llama Gestation
Llama pregnancies require patience. Gestation lasts about 11½ months, which means the planning for our 2026 babies actually began early last spring.
Because timing matters so much on the ranch, we hand breed our females. This allows us to closely track breeding dates and gives us a much better estimate of when each cria might arrive. Even with careful planning, though, every birth still feels like a wonderful surprise.
Why Cria Season Is Special
Cria season is one of the most rewarding times of the year. Each new arrival brings:
New genetics and potential for the herd
Fresh energy and curiosity in the pasture
Plenty of adorable moments for everyone who visits the ranch
Newborn crias are usually up and walking within the first hour of life and quickly begin exploring the world around them.
Stay Tuned…
With 8–10 more babies expected, our pastures will soon be filled with new life — and plenty of musical names to match. We’ll be sharing updates as each new cria arrives, so keep an eye on the ranch for the next little star to join the lineup.
For now, James Taylor is enjoying his first weeks on the ranch, learning the ropes and soaking up the spring sunshine.
And if the rest of the season is anything like the first arrival, it’s going to be a beautiful year on the ranch.