Camels are even-toed ungulates that have one or two humps. The one-humped camel, or dromedary camel, is found in the Arabian deserts of the Middle East and North Africa, while the two-humped camel, or Bactrian camel, is native to the Gobi Desert in China and the Bactrian steppes of Mongolia.
Another camel lives in Australia. They are feral, or wild, camels. They were dromedary camels that were imported to provide transportation. They have become a pest because they are eating the natural vegetation.
The camel is related to the alpaca, llama, guanaco and vicuna.
Camels were domesticted more than 3,500 years ago. Many people still depend on these "ships of the desert" for transportation. They can carry over 200 pounds for 20 miles in the hot desert heat.
Camels have adapted to the hot, dry desert climate very nicely. The camel’s thick coat also reflects sunlight, which helps to keep it from overheating. Their long legs also helps to keep their bodies farther away from the hot ground. Camels have a double row of very long eyelashes and a clear inner eyelid which protects the eye from sandstorms while still letting in enough light for camels to see. They have hairs in the opening of the ear to help stop blowing sand from filling up their ears. They can also close their nostils. All of these features allow them to withstand sand storms in the dessert.
Camels do not store water in their humps. The hump is actually a reservoir of fatty tissue. When this tissue is metabolized, it acts as a source of energy, and yeilds more than 1 gallon of water for each 1 gallon of fat that is converted. Their kidneys and intestine are able to hold water. Because of this ability, the camel can live in very dry and hot climates and go without water for long periods of time.
When camels walk they move both legs on one side of their body and then the other. Their feet are also flat and wide. Both of these features help them from sinking into the sand.
They are powerful runners and can reach the speed of 40 miles per hour in a short burst, which is as fast as a horse. They can cruise along at 25 miles per hour when running for a distance.
The Bactrian camels grow a shaggy coat in the winter to protect them from the freezing cold. In the extremely hot summer they shed their coats. These camels can survive a wide range of temperatures, from minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 29 degrees Celsius) in the winter to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) in the summer!
Camels can grow to be 7 feet tall at the hump. The hump can be 30 inches tall and they can live to be 80 years old.
Camels don't really spit. They are actually bringing the contents of their stomach along with siliva and project it out. They do this to scare or distract whatever it is that is threatening them.
Camels can moan, groan, bleat, bellow and roar. They also make a rumbling growl.
Camels are herbivores. Because they live in the dessert, they have to be able to eat desert plants. Thorny cacti would cause other animals a great deal of difficulty.
Humans have used camels for their wool, milk, meat, leather, and even dung that can be used for fuel. Camel milk is an important food of the desert nomadic tribles. A camel can provide a large amount of meat for these people also. The camel's hump is considered a delicacy in these cultures.
A mother camel gives birth in 12 - 14 months to one calf. When the calf is born it weighs 80 pounds and is most often pure white. It takes the calf several hours before it can stand up. Males reach maturity between 6 and 8 years. Females reach maturity in 3 years.
The Wild Bactrian camel is at extreme risk of becoming extinct. |
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