the llama's respiratory system changes
Llamas are a native animal to the Andes. These mountains can
get higher than 6,500m. At these heights the air can get thin and oxygen can
get very low. There are a few ways that this can be combatted such as; having a
high blood volume, a reduced heart rate, a change in the circulation of blood
to tissues and having a high oxygen affinity to haemoglobin. Llamas tend to
have blood that has a high oxygen affinity to haemoglobin. This means that when
the llama ascends the mountain its blood will start to absorb and carry more
oxygen than it usually does. This allows the llama to have enough oxygen in
order to climb the steep mountain terrain without getting too tired. They also
have a reduced level of CA II which enables their blood pH to remain the same
or become a little higher. A higher blood pH means there is a higher affinity
between oxygen and haemoglobin.