Camels - Pictures

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Camels - Temperament

The Camels' behavior is unpredictable. They may be obstinate creatures that spit and kick. But mostly Camels are good-tempered, patient and intelligent. Only during the rut they fight each other and nip.

Camels - Life Cycle

During the rut male Dromedary Camels protrude a fleshy fold from the mouth and emit a loud unpleasant roar. Females usually breed every other year. The gestation period is 13 months. Cows usually bear a single calf, and occasionally twins. The newborn calf can move freely by the end of the first day and are weaned at about one year. Camels reach maturity at 3-5 years. Camels travel the deserts in caravans made of 6-20 animals, led by an adult male.

Camels - Importance for Humans

Arabs utilize almost every portion of the Camels' body. Tents and clothing are made of Camel hair and Camel skin makes a good leather. As a food source, the flesh of young Camels tastes like veal and Camel milk is nutritious. Even dried bones of Camels are substituted for ivory and their dung is burned as fuel. In technologically advanced Saudi Arabia, Camels are valued as thoroughbred racing animals and dairy herds. In many parts of Africa and Asia Camels still pull ploughs, turn waterwheels, and transport people.

Camels - Conservation

Since the Dromedary Camel is domesticated, it has no special status in conservation. Dromedaries have been extinct from the wild for the past 2000 years. As for the Bactrian Camels, they are endangered. There are only a few hundred of them left, and law protects them. Camels' hunting is forbidden in Mongolia, China, and some Asian countries.

Camels - Other Camels

Of the four members of the Camel family found in South America, two are totally domesticated. They are the Llama and Alpaca. They are bred for wool and meat. The Guanaco is wild and lives in the mountains of Peru and Ecuador. The smallest of all Camels is the Vicuna (90 cm at the shoulder) living on the higher plains of the Andes.

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