ONE-HUMPED camel (Camelus dromedarius)
CAMELS (Camelus)
Even-toed ungulate of camel family which today has 2 species:
BACTRIAN CAMEL – two-humped camel and DROMEDARY – single-humped camel.
Weight: 400-1000 kg
Height: 1,8 -2,3 m
Life Span: 40-50 years (walrus – 30, elephant – 70, human – 79)
Gestation: 15 months
IN THE WORLD
* Camels and humans have a common history of at least 4,500 years. In the past, the number of camels indicated the status and wealth of the owner.
* They were the main means of transport on the famous Silk Road.
* There are currently 2 million Bactrian camels and 15 million dromedaries in the world.
* Used as labor, vehicle, also for milk and meat production. Hump fat is useful in cooking.
* Manure – for fertilizing and fuel.
* Wool – for clothes, blankets, carpets, tents. Leather – for shoes, water bags, etc.
* Camel races and beauty contests are still going on. Cheating is detected in them – camel’s lips and nose are improved with botox injections.
* In Australia thera are currently around 100,000 wild camels, descendants of one-humped camels.
FACTS
* Accumulate fat in the humps – reserves can reach 38 kg.
* While walking, takes a step with both feet of one side, so the rider is rocked quite hard.
* Can drink 100 liters of water in 10 minutes.
* Almost do not sweat, therefore they are suitable for desert hiking.
* Able to change the body temperature from 34 to 41 ℃ in order to retain water.
* In extreme conditions can survive up to 6 months without water and food.
* Able to run at speed up to 68 km/h.
* During a sandstorm they are able to almost completely close the nostrils.
* Eyelashes in two rows and thick eyebrows protect the eyes from the sand.
* Can get angry and spit.
ONE-HUMPED camel (Camelus dromedarius)
Distribution: North Africa, Arabia, Asia, Australia, Europe.
In the Rakši since 2013 – imported from Germany, the Netherlands, the Canary Islands.
FACTS ABOUT ONE-HUMPED CAMELS
* Shy, usually hold together in groups.
* Greet by blowing each other in the face.
* The gait is similar to a giraffe.
* In starvation, start eating anything, including fish and bones.
* In the Egypt Napoleon Bonaparte set up a “dromedary corps” to better deal with Bedouin attacks.
* Moans and sighs of Dromedary were used for Chewbacca voice in Star Wars.
