Sonja Breen, age 9, of Harrisburg, Penn., for her question:

IS IT TRUE THAT LLAMA CAN SPIT IN YOUR FACE?

The llama is the largest member of the camel family that lives in South America. The animal can be very stubborn. If the llama feels his pack is too heavy, or if he thinks he has worked hard enough, he will lie down with his front legs under him and refuse to move.

Also, when the llama is angry or under attack, he will spit a mouthful of a bad smelling saliva in his enemy's face.

But the llama is very useful to the Indians of the South American Andes. He is a fine pack animal and can carry about 100 pounds. He is very sure footed on mountain trails. And he can travel from 15 to 20 miles a day with full packs.

The Indians also eat the meat of the young animals. And they use the hair of the llama to make garments and its hide to make sandals.

The llama is inexpensive to keep. He is a hardy animal and lives on low shrubs, lichens and other plants that grow on high mountains. He can live for weeks without drinking water. Instead, he gets his moisture from green plants.