Fun Facts About Emus, Llamas, Pigs & Other Non-Exotic Friends at Our Sanctuary
By: Bobbi Brink
Not every animal at our sanctuary has stripes like a tiger or a roar that shakes the trees. Some have long eyelashes, wiggly noses, and an endless supply of charm that sneaks up on you the moment you meet them. Many visitors expect to see majestic mammals - but they’re often surprised (and delighted) to find a crew of lovable, non-exotic animals waiting to steal the show.
While they may not have the power or flash of their exotic counterparts, they’re just as fascinating. They each have a story, a personality, and a way of making you laugh, smile, or pause in awe. Let’s shine the spotlight on the emus, llamas, pigs and other non-exotic friends at Lions Tigers & Bears.
Emus – Tall, Fast, and Full of Surprises
Emus are the second-largest birds in the world—right after ostriches. They’re native to Australia, can grow up to 6 feet tall, and weigh as much as 55 kilograms. That’s taller than most grown-ups.
They have long, strong legs, soft brown feathers, and big, curious eyes. Emus are part of a group called ratites—these are big birds that don’t fly. But they make up for it by being amazing runners. Emus are some of the fastest animals at Lions Tigers & Bears. They can run up to 30 miles per hour.
We have three emus here at our sanctuary: Ryan, Carla, and Sara. They’re funny, curious, and full of personality.
Here are some animal fun facts about emus:
Emus love to explore. A common emu behavior is that they often follow people around to see what’s happening.
They make deep, booming sounds. Females can make drum-like noises using a special part of their throat.
They don’t have teeth. Instead, they swallow small rocks to help grind their food inside their stomachs.
They’re great swimmers. Emus enjoy water and are strong swimmers when they get the chance.
They have two sets of eyelids. One keeps their eyes clean, and the other keeps out dust.
Dad takes care of the babies. After the female lays eggs, the male watches over them, keeps them warm, and raises the chick himself.
Llamas – Gentle, Fuzzy, and Super Social
Llamas are calm, friendly animals that love to be around others. They come from South America and are known for their thick, fluffy coats and long necks. Most llamas grow to be about 6 feet tall and can weigh up to 400 pounds.
Llamas are famous for being great pack animals. That means they can carry heavy loads, especially when helping people hike through mountains. But here at Lions Tigers & Bears, our llamas don’t work — they relax, explore, and enjoy life.
One of our llamas is named Cody. He gets along great with the other animals in our domesticated animals area and is a favorite among visitors.
Here are some fun facts about llamas:
Llamas hum. It’s how they talk to each other. Humming can mean they’re happy, curious, or just saying hello.
They have soft, padded feet. This helps them walk quietly and gently on the ground.
Llamas are ruminant animals. That means they chew their food, swallow it, and then bring it back up to chew again.
They use their ears to show how they feel. Ears forward means they’re curious or excited. Ears back might mean they’re annoyed.
Llamas are super clean. They even use the bathroom in the same spot every time.
They can be trained. Llamas are smart and can learn commands like “walk,” “stop,” or “back up.”
Not all llamas spit. Spitting is rare and usually only happens when they feel threatened or want another llama to back off.
Alpacas – Sweet, Shy, and Silky-Soft
Meet our newest rescues: four lucky alpacas saved from a herd of 21 facing euthanasia after their owner’s passing. While alpacas look like petite llamas (they’re cousins!), they’re smaller, gentler, and prized for their ultra-soft fleece. Unlike llamas, these social butterflies prefer cuddling over carrying cargo, and they make sweet humming sounds!
Fun Alpaca Facts:
They’re walking fiber factories. Their hypoallergenic fleece is warmer than wool and comes in 22 natural colors.
Team players. Alpacas bond tightly with herds and even adopt orphaned babies.
Alpacas express themselves. Ear wiggles mean curiosity; spitting, while rare, is their last-resort telling you to back off!
Eco-friendly lawnmowers. Their padded feet protect pastures while they graze.
Llamas are sturdy pack animals; alpacas are fluffy, delicate little stars. Both hum, but alpacas sound like they’re singing lullabies!
Pigs – Smart, Playful, and Full of Personality
Pigs are some of the smartest animals in the world. They can learn their names, do tricks, and even play games. Pigs are also very clean — despite what you may have heard or seen. They roll in mud not because they’re dirty, but to cool off and protect their skin.
At Lions Tigers & Bears, we have two adorable pigs: Penelope and Pebbles. Pebbles is the newest member of our sanctuary pig family. She came to us with her best friend, Ringo the coatimundi.
Here are some fun facts about pigs
Pigs are super smart. Scientists say pig intelligence is similar to that of a 3-year-old child.
They love to socialize. Pigs make many sounds to “talk” to each other—grunts, squeals, and snorts all mean different things.
Pigs have a fantastic sense of smell. Their noses are so strong they can sniff out food hidden underground.
They’re fast. Even though they look slow, pigs can run up to 11 miles per hour.
Pigs dream when they sleep. Research shows that pigs experience REM sleep (the dream stage) just like humans do.
They form strong friendships. Pigs remember who’s kind to them and enjoy being with people they trust.
Their tails tell you how they feel. A curly tail often means they’re happy and relaxed.
Horses – Strong, Graceful, and Gentle
You’ll meet Dusty, our kind mare, along with Enzo and Khaos, two calm and friendly geldings. We also have Spirit, our miniature horse, who’s small in size but full of spark.
Horses can sleep standing up or lying down. They use a "stay apparatus" in their legs to rest without falling over.
They have great memories. Horses recognize human faces and voices even after years apart.
Their ears are like satellite dishes. Each ear can rotate 180 degrees to pinpoint sounds.
Donkeys – Tough, Sweet, and Super Smart
Spirit, our miniature horse, and Jack the Donkey at Lions Tigers & Bears Animal Sanctuary.
Jack is our gentle donkey. He’s calm, curious, and always happy to see visitors.
Donkeys are marathon survivors. These hardy animals can live over 30 years with proper care.
Donkeys are very smart. They have excellent hearing and strong memories that are comparable to dogs, or dolphins.
They're natural security guards. Donkeys can sense danger and protect their animal friends.
Cows – Calm Grazers with a Lot to Say
Our farm animals, Martine and Margarito, enjoy lazy afternoons in the pasture and are always ready for a snack.
Cows form lifelong friendships. They even experience stress when separated from their favorite herdmates.
They have panoramic vision. Cow’s exceptional eyesight allows them to see almost 360 degrees around.
Cows have a highly-sophisticated ruminant digestive system. They chew cud to help them digest tough plants.
Tortoise – Slow, Steady, and Full of Wisdom
Donashello, our resident tortoise, enjoys slow strolls and peaceful moments in the sun.
Whiskers are built-in rulers. These sensitive hairs help them sense things around them and measure spaces to determine if they can fit.
A cat's purr is like a magic spell. Purring helps them stay calm and even heal their own bodies.
Help Us Care for the Animal Friends at Our Sanctuary!
All our sanctuary animals — whether they have hooves, feathers, paws, claws, or shells deserve love, safety, and care. The non-exotic ones show the vital role of animal rescue operations, as they help us teach kids and families about kindness, care, and the beauty of all living animals.Your support helps us give the incredible rescued wildlife the food, shelter, and medical care they need to live happy, healthy lives. Donate now and be part of their story. Thank you for helping us protect and care for our sanctuary family!
