Camels
There are currently 13 million domesticated dromedaries living mostly in Western India, Pakistan, Iran and North Africa.
Dromedary Current population of domestic dromedaries and locations found
Camels date back to 4000-1400 BC. Romans maintained a corps of camel warriors.
Dromedary Date back to...
The D. can travel 80-120 miles per day carrying a person.
Dromedary Distance Traveled Per Day
Camel prefer to walk but can gallop or pace, using both legs on the same side at one time.
Dromedary Gait
7 feet tall (at shoulders)
Dromedary Height (at shoulders)
12 inches
Dromedary Height of Hump
• The dromedary camel lives in the Sahara desert of North Africa, Arabian peninsula and Middle East.
Dromedary Location found
• The largest feral population is found in Australia. Imported in 1840-1907 the camel was used for riding and packing goods. Approx. 750,000 live in central Australia causing destruction of their land.
Dromedary Location of Largest Feral Population Period When Imported Use Current Population
1 Hump
Dromedary Number of Humps
Male D. have a soft palate in which they inflate into a pink pouch which is called a DOULA, they hang the doula outside of their mouth to attract the females during the mating season.
Dromedary Soft Palate?
Today the camel are used for milk, meat and travel.
Dromedary Uses
The females are 10% lighter.
Dromedary Weight (Female)
• Adult males weigh 880-1320 lbs.
Dromedary Weight (Male)
Stomach: Ruminant (3 stomachs)
Both Species Stomach
Tail: 19 inches long
Both Species Tail
Camel have evolved and adapted to living in harsh environments, their body temperature can range from 93.2-107 this helps the camel to conserve water.
Dromedary Body Temperature
• The B. have a shaggy dark brown or beige coat, which sheds in large sheets in warm temperatures.
Bactrian Coat
The adult B. stands 6-7.6 ft high at the shoulders
Bactrian Height
The life span is 25-45 years old.
Bactrian Lifespan
2 Humps
Bactrian Number of Humps
Tip of nose to tail = 10ft
Bactrian Size (Tip of Nose to Tail)
72 lbs.
Bactrian Weight of Humps of Fat
• The B can carry a load up to 600 lbs. Over rough terrain for 40 miles per day.
Bactrian Weight of Load and Distance Traveled Per Day
• Bactrian camel were domesticated by 2500 BC in No. Iran and No. east Afghanistan.
Bactrian Year of Domestication Areas Where Domestication Occurred
Adult at age 5 years (with mother until this time)
Both Species Age of Maturity
• Distance: 25 miles a day
Both Species Distance Traveled Per Day
• Duration: 6-8 months out of the year
Both Species Duration of Work Per Year
Ears: lined with fur to filter
Both Species Ears
Eyes: double row of curly eyelashes --for protection
Both Species Eyes
Feet: 2 toes on each foot; has webbing
Both Species Feet
13 months
Both Species Gestation
Hard skin: has thick callus-like bare spots on chest and keen joints -- for support
Both Species Hard Skin
Ancestors lived in N. America at least 40 million years ago Crossed the Alaskan "land bridge" to Asia and eventually to Africa
Both Species History
Hump: mound of fatty tissue where animal draws energy when food is scarce
Both Species Hump
40 years
Both Species Lifespan
• Maximum load: as much as 990 lbs
Both Species Maximum Load
Mouth: 34 sharp teeth
Both Species Mouth
• Normal load: ~330 lbs
Both Species Normal Load
Nose: has large muscular nostrils
Both Species Nose
• Both species can survive 5 days without water.
Both Species Number Days Can Survive Without Water
Bears a single calf, occasionally twins
Both Species Number of Calfs Born
o Food: can go 5-7 days with little or no food and water Can lose a quarter of its body weight without impairing normal functions
Both Species Number of Days Without Food
o Water: Can survive 5 days without water Can drink as much as 21 gallons in 10 minutes Camels unique metabolism enables the animal to store the water in its blood stream
Both Species Number of Days Without Water Amount of Water a Camel Can Drink
o Gallop: 12 mph
Both Species Speed (Gallop)
o Walking: 3 mph
Both Species Speed (Walking)
