Camel Facts

Portrait of a Dromedary Camel

Camels are members of the family camelid which includes not only the dromedary and bactrian camels, but the "new world camels" which are the South American llama, alpaca, vicuna, and guanaco.

The "old world camels" are the dromedary and the bactrian, the only two members of the genus camelus or "True Camels".

The dromedary has one hump, the bactrian has two. The simplest way to remember this is to imagine the first letter of those names capitalized and lying on their flat end. A capital "D" - a capitol "B" - one hump or two!.

The bactrian camel is native to Asia and can be found on the border of Mongolia and China. Its range encompasses both desert and - surprisingly- snowy mountain ranges.

The bactrian camel has been domesticated for over 5000 years and only about 1000 to 2000 individuals still exist in the wild.

The dromedary camel has been extinct in the wild for several hundred years. There are no wild herds in existence in the native lands of the Middle East and Asia where they first came to be, but some escaped domestic animals roam Australia.

It is estimated that the dromedary camel has been domesticated for perhaps 6000 years and has shaped the civilization of the entire world.

Camels are very specialized animals. Their famous humps are stores not of water, but of fat (which, like all body tissue is largely water) and can sustain them without water for as long as a month in the harshest desert conditions. In an environment where most of the creatures are very small, do to such limited resources and the danger of exposure, the camel is a virtual giant, reaching well over 5 ft at the top of the head and weighing nearly 800 pounds.

wonderful camels!

They maintain themselves in conditions that would kill nearly any other creature, with specialized expanding feet, nostrils they can open and close independently, lips that can chew thorns and even specially shaped blood cells.

The red blood cells of camels are are not circular but oval shaped - unlike any other mammal on earth. The theory is that the oval shape allows blood to continue to circulate even if it is thickened from lack of hydration.

When resources are scarce and a camel is living off the fat of its hump, the hump slowly deflates, and may even flop over, particularly in the bactrians, as the contents are depleted. And when a thirsty camel finally arrives at a water source it can easily drink up to 40 gallons in a matter of minutes.

The flesh of the hump can be seen to visibly re inflate and even the hollows above the camels eyes will refill within a few moments of replenishing precious fluids.

Perhaps most importantly, to the people who rely on these animals for their very existence, the camel holds a sacred space.

The camel is not the rude, vulgar and unruly creature of myth, but a stately, noble and amiable servant with some minor personality flaws and a wicked sense of humor.

Here at the encyclopedia we just love camels! So read on... - Camel Facts

our exceptional partner

camel with little boy

Camels were domesticated over 5000 years ago, and but for a handful of wild bactrians, only domestic camels remain. They have been used mainly as pack animals and for transportation.

Their wool can be spun to make felt purses, hats and socks.

Camel milk is a vital food source for the Bedouins and is a required ingredient in many native recipes. Camel meat is not as common a staple, but camels have been bred for their meat in the past and in some regions today.

The first camel saddles date back to 1200 B.C. Camel cavalries have been used in many wars through history, and even the Romans rode camels during some of their African conquests. Camels were found to be useful against armies mounted on horseback because horses tend to be frightened of camels and opposing armies lost control of their mounts when a siege of camels approached.

Camels are still used in many middle-eastern jurisdictions for border patrols and police duty. And the United States experimented with the idea of a U.S. Camel Corps, using camels as transportation in Texas, New Mexico and the Mojave desert in California in the 1850's. Many of these camels were released and some feral herds roamed the south western states for a few decades.

Camels are also raised and trained for racing, particularly in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. It was a long tradition that children as young as six years old were used as jockeys, but child jockeys have recently become a human rights issue and several nations have banned the practice.

Racing camels start competing at 2 years old and can race successfully until 8 or 9 years old. Camels are famous for their medium-tempo pacing gait, but racing camels gallop like thoroughbreds at speeds just as fast - up to 40 miles an hour. Squabbling, wagering and tall tales about camel races and famous race camels are the staple of many cultures. -Camel Facts

camel reproduction

Dromedary camel mother and calf

Bactrian camel mother and calf

Camels are ungulates similar to cows. They have 2 toes on their feet and so are described as "even toed ungulates". Wild bactrian camel herds can be as large as 60 individuals. They have a lifestyle typical of many herd animals with females maintaining relative harmony and males jousting for control of "harems."

Males come into a seasonal heat called a "rut" where their testosterone level elevates. They will become unsettled and foam at the mouth.

Because males in rut are difficult to handle and the rut may last as long as 4 months, most domestic male camels are gelded. Only the finest bulls remain intact and are able to reproduce.

During the rut, males become single-minded attempting to dominate other males by proving their superiority in relatively civil contests. Neck wrestling, pushing and shoving, lots of bellowing but not allot of damage.

The less dominant male will return to a band of "bachelor" camels while the dominant male currently in rut mates with the females in the harem. Males come into rut at different times and with varying intensity so the title of head camel changes hands several times during any one breeding season.

Oddly, unlike any other mammal, camels mate sitting down. The mating season lasts about 2 months. Females carry their young for about a 13 to 14 month pregnancy. They deliver only one calf and on very rare occasions twins. The baby is extremely long-legged and takes a bit longer to get to its feet than many other herd animals. The calf may be prone for up to two hours, but by the end of the day will be able to keep up with the herd. Herd members are protective of all calves and adoptions when a mother is ill or killed are common. - Camel Facts

the incredible camel

Dromedary camels in the Sahara

wild bactrian camels in Gobi desert summer and winter

wild Bactrian camels in the Gobi desert summer and winter

The camel is a fascinating bundle of specific physical adaptions. These unique physical characteristics allow this massive animal to survive in a bare and exceedingly harsh environment.

Most dromedary camels live in Africa's immense Sahara desert, where they withstand prolonged temperatures of over 120 degrees during the day, and overnight temps that may plummet to below freezing.

The bactrian camel lives in the even more inhospitable Gobi desert and migrates up through the steppes of Mongolia. They withstand outrageous desert temperatures, but also regularly survive in snow covered mountains. A camel in the snow doesn't seem quite right, but when you are built for the conditions it's all automatic.

To withstand both heat and cold, camels have a woolly coat of insulating fur. Although they will shed some of it in summer months it serves to keep out heat as well as cold.

The camels humps actually help in regulating heat as well. With most of its fat stores in the hump, the rest of the body can cool off more easily. Naturally, the camels ability to live extended periods - sometimes months- without a drink of water is its most fascinating adaption. The hump is not an ideal source of hydration, as it takes energy for the body to get to the fat reserves and process them, but it is still the only animal with such capabilities.

When you consider that a horse (even the desert barb and Arabian breeds) can't survive more than 4 or 5 days without water, the camels abilities are positively amazing.

Camels even have specially shaped blood cells to keep blood circulating even when it thickens from dehydration. The camels body wastes no water. The camels urine is like a thick maple syrup, and its droppings are so dry they can be used within minutes of passing to start a campfire! Amazing Camel Facts.

Camel personality

noble Bactrian camel noble Dromedary camel

camel has a Coke on the beach

So let's just say that camels have a bit of a reputation.

They grunt, swear and spit (although their "spit" is actually vomit) They have been seen on many a tourists vacation videos kicking, bucking, biting and even swatting innocent folks with their tail.

They are incredibly loud and will voice their objections with thundering groans and rolling eyes.

They are odorous, belching and passing gas with musical regularity. They may not be the most attractive animal that made it to the ark, though they often possess a regal expression.

But those who know the camel best - the Bedouin people of Africa, and the Khalka people of Mongolia - hold these creatures very dear.

Camels are vital to these mostly nomadic peoples existence. They are considered members of the family and treated with great respect.

Someone who abuses their camels will be looked down upon and often chastised by the community. The camel is a very intelligent and emotional animal. They form close bonds with their human counterparts and work with a noble dignity when they are treated with respect

The typical domestic camel can understand hundreds of words and dozens of specific requests. They know the difference between right and left, will lift each of their feet on command, open their mouths if requested, lower their heads to be bridled, lower themselves to their knees to be mounted.

They are broken to a halter and saddle within a few months old, and are large enough for weight bearing by the time they turn one year old.

Mothers and calves may be separated out of necessity, but often live together in service to the same human family for life.

Camels usually have a vacation every year of 2 to 4 months, and most camels are retired from service before they turn 25. Since they can live 40 to 50 years, they will often spend their "Golden Years" as babysitters with the herd in a fitting final chapter to a rich and interesting life. -Camel Facts

a few more camel facts

camels packed

The dromedary has one hump, and the bactrian has two
The camels medium speed is a "pace" which moves both legs on the same side .
Camels mate sitting down!
The only wild herds of dromedary camels are in Australia - but they were once domestic
There are over 150 Arabic words for "camel"
Camels feet expand when bearing weight to keep them from sinking in the sand
The camel is known as the "Ship of the Desert"
The word "camel" comes from a Latin root meaning "to carry" but the Hebrew term "gamal" may also have some impact - it means "to go without"- Camel Facts!

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom

Animalia

minor regional differences

Camel Facts - animalstats -
MALE	FEMALE	YOUNG	SOCIAL UNIT
bull	cow	calf	herd
GROUP	HOME	LIFESPAN	FAVORITE FOOD
flock, train, caravan	Asia, Africa, Middle East	40 - 50 years	leaves, grass
ENEMIES	AVG. HEIGHT	AVG. HEIGHT	AVG. WEIGHT
wolves, tigers	5 - 6 feet at shoulder	6 - 8 feet at hump	800 - 1200 pounds
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BACTRIAN AND DROMEDARY
Dromedary 1 hump, a bit taller, extinct in wild, expandable feet Bactrian 2 humps, often heavier, thick wooly coat in winter
TOP SPEED	GESTATION	BIRTHWEIGHT	BIRTH HEIGHT:
40 mph	13 months	90 - 100 pounds	30 inches at the shoulder
RAISED BY	# OF YOUNG	EYES OPEN	AT BIRTH
mother	1, rarely 2	at birth	no hump, light in color, even white
WEANED	INDEPENDENT	MATURITY	ENDANGERED?
1.5 years	2 years	4 years	Dromedary extinct Bactrian critical

So Much More to Explore...

What do you think of these fabulous animals? Leave a comment in the box below.

beautiful old male camel

Camel Facts

our exceptional partner

camel reproduction

Vote Here for Your Favorite Animal!

the incredible camel

Camel personality

a few more camel facts

Scientific Classification:

see more animal extreme closeups

Recent Articles

African Animals - Animal Facts Encyclopedia

Baboon Facts - Animal Facts Encyclopedia

Great Apes Facts - Animal Facts Encyclopedia

This Form cannot be submitted until the missing fields (labelled below in red) have been filled in
Vote Here for Your Favorite Animal!
Pick Your Fav!