A few facts you need to know about Camels.
Camels are mammals with long legs, a big-lipped snout and a humped back. There are two types of camels: Dromedary camels, which have one hump, and Bactrian camels, which have two humps. Camels' humps consist of stored fat, which they can metabolize when food and water is scarce.
Camels have long been domesticated and, as livestock, they provide food (milk and meat) and textiles (fiber and felt from hair). As working animals, camels— which are uniquely suited to their desert habitats — are a vital means of transport for passengers and cargo.
Camels are able to withstand changes in body temperature and water consumption that would kill most other animals. Their temperature ranges from 34 °C (93 °F) at dawn and steadily increases to 40 °C (104 °F) by sunset, before they cool off at night again. In general, to compare between camels and the other livestock, camels lose only 1.3 liters of fluid intake every day while the other livestock lose 20 to 40 liters per day
There are three surviving species of camels.
1. Dromedary Camels
The one-humped dromedary makes up 94% of the world's camel population. Also known as the Arabian camel, they inhabit the Middle East and the Horn of Africa.
The male dromedary camel has an organ called a dulla in its throat, a large, inflatable sac he extrudes from his mouth when in rut to assert dominance and attract females. It resembles a long, swollen, pink tongue hanging out of the side of its mouth.
2. Bactrian Camels
The two-humped Bactrian camel makes up the remaining 6% of the world camel population. They inhabit Central Asia, including the historical region of Bactria.
3. Wild Bactrian Camels ['The True Camels']
The Wild Bactrian camel is a separate species and is now critically endangered. The critically endangered wild Bactrian is found only in remote areas of northwest China and Mongolia.
The average life expectancy of a camel is 40 to 50 years.
LAQHA
The female-camel is called “LAQHA” when physiological changes become visible in her abdomen and breast following six months of mating. “LAQAH” is the plural word for LAQHA.
WHAT IS THE WEIGHT OF AN ADULT CAMEL?
An adult camel weighs about an average of 700 kg (1,542 lbs.)
MEMORY OF THE CAMEL
Camels never forget. They have a very good memory. They never forget their original homes even after long periods away, they can always find their way home.
THE CAMEL'S MOUTH
The camel has a large mouth, with 34 sharp teeth. The sharp teeth enable the animal to eat rough thorny plants without damaging the lining of its mouth. Camels can also bite predators if they feel threatened.
CAMELS AND THORNY PLANTS
Camels are able to eat plants that are dry, prickly, salty and/or bitter, including that which other animals can't eat.
CAMEL MILK
The Camel’s milk is much more nutritious than that from a cow. It is lower in fat and lactose, and higher in potassium, iron and Vitamin C.
THE CAMEL’S FEET
When the thick, leathery pads of a camel's foot hit the ground, they spread wide, preventing the camel from sinking into the sand.
THE SPEED OF A CAMEL
The Normal ‘ample speed’ for a walking camel is 5kph/3mph; a working camel will typically cover 40km/25 miles a day. Race camels can run uptown a speed of 20kph/12mph at a gallop-pace.
THE HEALTHY BENEFITS OF CAMEL MEAT FOR THE ELDERLY
Camel Meat is low in saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, compared to other kinds of meat. Camel meat is also sometimes used for energy and as an aphrodisiac.
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