Camel

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    Camel  Camelus dromedarius

The camel belongs to the Camelidae family. 


There are three different sub species of camel, the One-humped, Arabian and Dromedary and are mainly found in deserts around the Middle East and Africa.  Camels have been domesticated for around five thousand years to aid in human every day life, by transporting products to sell and humans also good source of milk and meat, there wool is also vital for clothing to keep the people warm.  

Camels have evolved adapted to live in the desert in various ways; 
1. The colour and density of their coat protects the skin from the heat of the sun and night aids
2. The length of the legs allows their body to be off the ground 
3. They have two toes which allows them not to sink into the sand
4. The bottoms of their feet are cushioned, so when the camels are on rocky terrain their feet are protected
5.They have good sense of smell and good eyesight
6. They are able to protect their nostrils from the drifting sand by closing a small slit in the nostrils 
7. They have two rows of eyelashes to protect the eyes from drifting sand and dust
8. They store water as fatty substances in the hump and this can be released when needed

The social structure contains a patriarch (single male leader) with forty individuals containing males, females and young. The dominant males has the right to mate with every female in his herd. When the breeding season is taking place the males protect the females by being aggressive to unwanted males by spitting and lunging forwards.  They have a unusually walking pattern when compared to other mammals, they move both their right legs at the same time and same with the left, this allows them to use less energy in the harsh conditions. They are able to retain water in the body for a long period of time as they have very few sweat glands. 

Males and females are sexually ready by the age of three to five years of age. Breeding season happens from November to March, this is when the males and females come in to heat. The female have a long pregnancy lasting thirteen months, the female usually gives birth to one offspring but twins is possible. Eight hours after birth the calf is up and walking.

Camels are mostly vegetarians but they are known to nibble on bones.  They like plants with  high salt content as other animals do not eat these plants, leaving more food for the camels to have. 




A-z-animals.com, (2015). Camel (Camelus dromedarius) - Animals - A-Z Animals - Animal Facts, Information, Pictures, Videos, Resources and Links. [online] Available at: http://a-z-animals.com/animals/camel/ [Accessed 7 Apr. 2015].