ANSI 3903 Chapter 15- Buffaloes, Camels, Lamoids, yaks

Camelids can travel great distances in desert conditions for days with no water while carrying a heavy load. This ability has earned it the nickname

"ship of the desert."

Cattle are superior to buffalo in 3 major ways:

1. heat tolerance, particularly to dry heat 2. as work animals on dry ground because they are much faster, although not capable of pulling loads quite as heavy 3. as producers of meat and milk.

The buffalo is superior to cattle for work animals in the hot, humid regions where rice is grown in 2 ways:

1. utilizing the coarse, low quality roughages, such as rice straw and 2. working in low, wet areas, such as the rice paddies, where their feet must be in mud and water for long periods of time (cattle are more susceptible to foot rot).

Yak milk production is only about ______________ per cow per year but is a very important product. The milk has a high nutritional value with a fat content of _______ percent and makes excellent butter and cheese

100 gallons 5-8%

Llamas can carry loads of up to ____ pounds for up to ___ miles a day.

210, 16

There are almost ___ million camels in the world. Over ____ of them are in Africa with all but a few thousand of the remainder in Asia

25, 84%

The family Camelidae were domesticated about ___________ years ago. Since their domestication, they have provided meat, milk, wool, manure for fuel, offerings to the gods, and hides to the desert- and mountain-dwelling peoples of the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

4,000 to 6,000

A camel can carry from ___________pounds and travel __miles a day. The __________ breed of camel is bred for warfare and racing. It can travel ___________ miles a day at a steady trot of ________ miles an hour

500-600, 25 mehari, 75-120 9 to 10

Most of the world buffalo population is found in Asia with just three countries, India, Pakistan and China having over ______ of the population

85%

The _________ is the one-humped camel of the Near East and Africa. It is referred to as the ___________. The __________ is fast and considered to be the more desirable for riding. However, it is also widely used as a pack animal by the nomadic people of desert and semi-desert regions. This kind is well adapted to hot, dry climates

Arabian, dromedary Arabian

Buffalo are a valuable source of milk in _____, and Italy (in Italy they are used to produce mozzarella cheese).

Asia

The______________ is the two-humped camel of northern China and Tibet. It is often referred to as the Asian camel. The ___________ is a larger slower animal. It is primarily used as a pack animal.

Bactrian, Bactrian

They also contribute substantial quantities of meat. Most of the buffalo in _________ are specialized meat-producing breeds. This is a relatively new phenomenon.

Brazil

_______ is easily the leading country in numbers of buffalo

India

Camels unique characteristics

Long, interlocking eyelashes in a double fringe surround the eyes protecting them from sandstorms and the sun. Its nostrils are also specially adapted. They are slanting slits, which the camel can open wide to breathe or close to keep out blowing sand. Another curious adaptation is a groove from each nostril that ends in the split upper lip. This allows any moisture from the nostrils to flow into the mouth helping in water conservation.

This gives the animals the ability to exert themselves strenuously at high altitudes and makes them well adapted to their environment.

The blood of the lamoids has more red blood cells per unit volume of blood than other mammals. In addition, the hemoglobin of the blood reacts faster with oxygen.

Members of the camel family only found in high elevations of the Andes Mountains in South America

They consist of four species in two genera. Lama glama, the llama; Lama pacos, the alpaca; Lama quanacoe, the guanico; and Vicugna vicugna, the vicuna

Africa ranks first in camel milk production, it drives the world trend

True

Africa ranks higher than asia in world totals of camel meat production

True

Alpaca wool comes in 22 colors from black to tan to white, is lightweight and has good insulation value. It is used in making items like parkas, sleeping bags, and fine coat linings, among many other things.

True

Although it was very seldom raised historically primarily for food in the least developed agricultures, camel meat and milk are put to good use. Both are increasing in production on a world-wide basis

True

Although the water buffalo is primarily found in hot, humid areas, it is not very heat tolerant. One reason for the lack of heat tolerance is it has very few sweat glands, only 1/5 the number found in cattle. As a result, it can survive only if it has water in which it can wallow at frequent intervals to give up heat by conduction and to coat the skin with moisture to be evaporated

True

As the environmental temperature increases, so does the temperature of the camel's body. During the night, the camel gives off the heat that it "stored" during the day so that its morning temperature is low. Their body temperature can vary more than 11° F (6° C). Those unique blood cells also allow the camel to rehydrate very quickly (JUST A FEW HOURS) without suffering from the ruptured blood cells and death common in less adapted species who are water-deprived and then allowed access to ample drinking water

True

As the largest of the South American camelids (lamoids), it is kept primarily as a pack animal, but is also valuable as a source of food, wool, hides, tallow for candles, dried dung for fuel, and as a provider of offerings to the gods

True

Asia is ranked first in buffalo milk production, its driving the world trend

True

Asia ranks first in buffalo meat production, its driving the world trend

True

Because the camel can go without water for several days (approximately 10), it is a very valuable animal for dry climates. For millennia the camel has helped the desert populations of Asia and Africa survive and even prosper at times.

True

Because the llama and alpaca are the two domesticated species, they are the most economically important of the lamoids (or camelids as some prefer).

True

Buffalo have enormous strength, a docile temperament and the capacity for long sustained heavy work. They may be utilized to pull wagons or for riding, but their primary use is in field work and much of this in rice paddies.

True

Camels are used mainly for riding or as pack animals, although occasionally they are yoked to a plow. It is usually paired with an ox or sometimes an ass rather than another camel because the camel can't be very successfully driven to a plow but the ox or donkey can.

True

Crosses between yak and zebu cattle also give more milk and better meat and are excellent work animals for carrying loads at moderate altitudes

True

Domesticated camelids are primarily found in Africa, Asia, and South America. There are also feral camels in Australia because they were used in the Outback as pack animals during the 19th century. Some of the descendants of these camels are feral and are considered to be pests.

True

European countries have some, most notably in Italy. The best mozzarella cheese to be had in Italy is made from buffalo milk. It generally sells for around $2-4 more per kilogram than that made from cow's milk. In the last few years, buffalo herds have increased there. Once found primarily in southern Italy, mostly in the countryside surrounding Naples, there are now herds in northern Italy

True

For centuries, the breeding of camels has been the primary source of income for many nomadic tribes living in the very dry areas of the world

True

Garments are made from the soft wool of young animals up to the age of 3 years. Apparently, the wool on the hump and the shoulders is best for this. The under wool is made into felt.

True

Historically, India's low utilization of Buffalo meat was linked to religious reasons, also many hindus are vegetarian, Buffalo are simply more valuable as draft animals than food sources.

True

In Asia buffalo produce 33% of the milk consumed by people (over 50% in India). It is 7-8% fat and very nutritious. The rank in amount of milk produced is very similar to animal numbers. It is worth mentioning that Italy is ranked 9th in milk production.

True

In Tibet, a milk powder is prepared (besides butter and cheese) by a special process of coagulation and is used for provisions. As with many other classes of work animals, generally only the old animals are slaughtered. The meat is often dried and then eaten without being cooked.

True

In Tibet, there is a taboo against killing them for meat. However, in Mongolia and several of the former USSR states (now independent) there seems to be a taste for the dark rather coarse meat with its unique flavor.

True

In the frontier area of Tibet and in some of the countries of the former Soviet Union, yaks are often crossbred with cattle. The crossbreeds are in great demand, since they are especially strong and good natured animals for plowing and use in caravans and they produce more meat and milk than a purebred yak.

True

India ranks first in Buffalo numbers

True

India, with well over half of the world's buffalo, has traditionally done a poor job of harvesting the buffalo for meat. In recent years this has changed. While it still does not harvest a percentage of meat equal to its animal numbers, more is being harvested.

True

It is an animal adapted to high altitudes and cold climates and is very important to people who live where cattle cannot live. It is primarily used as a pack animal, and is even ridden, being very sure footed and having great strength and stamina. It is used at lower elevations in pasture farming as a draft animal

True

Lactating female camels may be milked and many constitute the major source of milk for many nomadic people. The hair is turned into tents, blankets, rugs, clothing, and rope. Dried dung is used as fuel for cooking fires. The hides are used for harnesses, sandals, water bags, rugs and many other necessary items.

True

Llamas are very plentiful in the Andes Mountains from southern Peru to northwestern Argentina

True

Meat production has steadily risen in the last two decades and India is now the major producer with 42% of the meat

True

Most yaks are found in Tibet, Western China, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Siberia with MOST IN CHINA. World numbers are estimated at 14 million head with 13 million of those in Chinese territories. It is hard to get an accurate estimate because they are often counted as cattle

True

Somalia ranks first in Camel numbers

True

The Camelidae are very different but they also all share certain characteristics. They all have long necks, small heads and no horns or antlers. Each has a split upper lip similar to that of a rabbit's

True

The Somali tribe of Africa does raise camels primarily for meat, but they are the exception rather than the rule.

True

The alpaca is kept and bred for its wool, which in the suri breed can grow long enough to touch the ground

True

The alpaca weighs up to 165 lb. and is raised primarily for its wool, which has an extremely fine fiber grading 80's on the Bradford scale compared to 60's for wool from the Merino sheep, which produces the finest wool of any sheep. The higher the number a fleece grades on the Bradford scale the finer the wool fiber and the more valuable the wool is for spinning and weaving into very expensive woolen material.

True

The camel pack trains that have moved for centuries across the trade routes of the Orient were made up of Bactrian camels. Since much of the region where the Bactrian is used is cold, it has a longer hair coat (1 foot in winter) than the Arabian and has adapted well to cold conditions. It has a much shorter, thicker, and heavier body than the dromedary's. It is better able to stand rocks, snow and ice because it has more calloused feet than the dromedary. It can also drink brackish (salty) water and swim for short distances. The camel's-hair cloth used to make fine overcoats and other clothing comes from Bactrian camels. The most valued hair grows next to the skin

True

The camel's hump (or humps) is fat and muscle and has no bone (it is not literally made of water!!!!!).

True

The domestic buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is descended from the wild water buffalo (Bubalis arnee).

True

The domestic yak is insensitive to cold, requires little food and is very sure-footed. These characteristics make it an excellent pack animal. It is considered to be the best suited domestic animal in Asia for elevations exceeding 2000 meters. Their nickname translates into "Ships of the Plateau."

True

The guanaco and vicuna are not domesticated though some are sometimes tamed.

True

The llama is the largest, weighing up to 265 lb. It is found in the highland areas from northern Peru to northern Chile and Argentina and is used primarily as a pack animal.

True

The red blood cells of camelids are oval, whereas in all other mammals they are circular which helps them survive in water restricted areas of the world. Their feet have two toes, with a very flat hoof at the end of each. A thick, calloused pad forms the sole of the foot.

True

The two types of domestic water buffalo, swamp and river, derive their name from whether they prefer clean, running water (river type) or will wallow in mud holes (swamp type).

True

The vicuna is the smallest of the two (75-100 lb.) but produces a wool with the finest fiber of any animal, grading 120's on the Bradford scale. Because of the demand for this very luxurious wool, the vicuna was hunted almost to extinction since the only way the fleece could be obtained was to kill the animal. Strict governmental regulations have been imposed forbidding the killing of vicunas in an effort to preserve the species.

True

The water buffalo is found primarily in hot, wet areas with subsistence or primitive levels of agriculture, especially associated with rice production

True

The water buffalo is not generally raised primarily as a source of meat. Their meat is utilized as a salvage situation through the slaughter of old, crippled, barren or excess animals

True

The yak belongs to the genus Bos, species grunniens (grunting ox). It belongs to the Bisontine sub-group, which also includes the American bison

True

The yak tail is a prize product, used as fly wisks, religious symbols and cap decoration

True

The yak weighs 400-1200 lbs. and can carry loads of 300 lbs. over steep mountain trails for great distances.

True

The yakow does better in warmer temperatures and lower altitudes than the full-blood yak though they don't do as well at higher elevations and lower temperatures.

True

There are six members of this family. The camel genus has two of them: the one-humped dromedary and the two-humped Bactrian camel. The llama genus includes the guanaco, the llama, and the alpaca, and the vicuna genus has just the vicuna

True

There are two types of alpacas, the Suri, which produces a long, straight fiber, and the Huacaya, which produces a more desirable, shorter, curly fiber resembling Corriedale type wool.

True

They will interbreed and do produce fertile hybrids. The most commonly produced hybrids are between the llama and alpaca (known as huarizo) and between the alpaca and vicuna (pacovicuna).

True

Though woven into a warm cloth, llama fleece is coarse and inferior to that of the vicuna and the alpaca

True

When a camel is well fed and given enough water, the hump is erect. When it goes without food and water, the fat and lean tissue in the hump can nourish it for several days providing energy and metabolic water. It is easy to tell if a camel is in this condition because its hump becomes limp and leans to one side

True

Yaks are sheared or plucked once a year. The hair is a major export item. They yield about 1600 grams of hair and 600 grams of coarse wool, which is spun into yarn. The yarn is made into blankets, tent covers, halters, bags, slingshots, and ropes.

True

Yaks survive, even thrive in some of the world's harshest climates including the cold desert. In northern Tibet (one region where they thrive) the annual mean temperature is 0°C

True

steady increase in mechanization is reducing the use of camels. This decreased demand for their product threatens the traditional way of life of the nomads. In the not too distant future, they may be forced to give up their nomadic existence and settle in villages

True

the camel conserves water by holding it in tissues and cells rather than using it to cool itself through perspiration as other animals do.

True

Wool fiber fineness camparisons

Vicuna- 120s Alpaca- 80s Merino Sheep- 60s

The camel family is commonly referred to as __________ and members of the llama and vicuna genus are called _________.

camelids, lamoids

In recent years, they have been selected more for _____ in certain parts of the world. This is especially true in ___________.

meat, South America

______ is the second most important product of the buffalo and has been increasing rapidly in production

milk

Rapid decline in camel numbers over the last two decades may be linked to

rapid economical development of that country....mechanization

The camel is a ___________(at least practically speaking) but its stomach has only three chambers, rather than the four others have

ruminant

The _____ is a longhaired, very hardy ruminant found in and around the Himalayan Mountains of central Asia.

yak