The llama (Lama glama) is a domesticated South American member of the Camelidae family and is notable for being one of the only large animals domesticated outside of Eurasia. Alpacas, another domesticated Camelid from South America are similar to llamas but belong to the genus Vicugna along with the wild vicuña (V. vicugna). Although the llama is classified as its own species it is one of two members in the Lama genus, the other being the llama’s ancestor, the wild guanaco (L. guanicoe). All four make up the Lamini clade and differ from other camelids in that they lack humps. Guanacos live in the Andes region of South America and it was there too where the domesticated llama originated 4,000- 5,000 years ago. Llamas were used as pack animals and farmed for their meat, fiber, hides, and their manure for use as fuel. Llamas are still farmed today but are also increasingly popular as exotic pets and in zoos.
Due to their immense popularity llamas have been reproduced by all the major players in the animal toy community. Today we’re looking at the 2019 Mojo llama which I picked up completely on impulse without any kind of comparison shopping with the other llamas available. Upon later research I found the competition among llama toys is strong with a lot of good options. Does this one hold up against its peers? Let’s find out!
Despite being a domesticated animal, the Mojo llama is part of their wildlife range of toys, as verified by their own website. From snout to tail it measures 4.13” (10.4 cm) long and stands 2.5” (6.3 cm) at the shoulder. Actual llamas stand about 40-45” (101-114 cm) at the shoulder and up to 6’ (1.8 meters) to the top of the head. Scaling down the shoulder height puts the Mojo llama at about 1/18 in scale.
The Mojo llama stands erect in a static posture and I suppose if there is something to complain about it might be that. Personally, I don’t mind the static posture, so it loses no points with me. The coloration could also be considered rather humdrum, being mostly white with a pale tan wash and white on the underside. The muzzle and hooves have a pale gray wash over them and for color, that’s it. The eyes are painted with a shiny, wet-like finish. Llamas come in a variety of colors and combinations so something more eye-catching would have been nice. Again though, I personally don’t mind the choice here and it is a common color for llamas.
The lack of color may work in the toy’s favor as it helps bring out the finer details in this toy, which I have to say are quite nice. Hairs are etched convincingly into the sculpt and follow the various contours of the body. Finer hairs are sculpted around the face and down the neck, and shaggier hair along the torso and legs. Halfway down the limbs the shaggier hair gives way to shorter hairs again. The face is nicely sculpted with a stoic expression and erect ears and overall, the proportions and anatomy appear accurately conveyed.
Although I don’t have other llama toys with which to compare it directly, I do think the Mojo llama is one of the better representations currently available. The Safari llama is quite nice, with a more natural and relaxed posture, and more colorful and shaggier coat, but the face isn’t as well done and the mouth and nose are highlighted in black, which gives it a cartoony appearance. Papo has a nice one too but it’s retired, and the CollectA and Schleich llamas just don’t do it for me.
All-in-all I’m content with my impulse buy and am happy to have the Mojo llama representing this captivating animal in my collection. The Mojo llama is widely available and sells for about $6.99. Mojo also makes a baby llama to go along with it.
