A camel is an even-toed ungulate within the genus Camelus, bearing distinctive fatty deposits known as “humps” on its back.
Fast Facts about Camels
1. There are two types of camels: dromedary camels, which have one hump, and Bactrian camels, which have two humps.
2. Camels can reach 7 feet in height (at the hump) and weigh up to 1500 pounds.
3. They are specially adapted to the life in desert. Their eyes have three eyelids and two rows of eyelashes that prevent sand to enter their eyes. Camel’s ears are furry. Hairs keep the sand and dust away from their ears. They can also shut their nostrils during sand storms.
4. The reason for it rolling gait that got camel its nickname, “Ship of the Desert” is that, the camel moves front and back legs on the same side at the same side, then they repeat with the other side, so that it sways in a rhythmic side to side fashion like a ship at sea.
5. Camel can move easily across the sand because of its specially designed feet. Camel’s foot consists of two toes that spread when animal touches the ground and prevents sinking in the sand.
6. Camel can survive without food and water long period of time. When they find water, they will drink as much as possible. They can drink up to 40 gallons of water at once. Camel needs to retain as much water as possible in its body, so it produces urine that is dense as syrup and faeces that is so dry, that it can be used as a fuel.
7. A camel’s hump does not store water. It stores fat, lessening heat-trapping insulation around the rest of the body.
8. They can eat anything, including thorny twigs, without injuring their mouths.
9. One of the camel’s defenses is ‘spitting’ – where they essentially throw up a foul smelling greenish fluid from their stomach all over you if provoked. For those who have experienced it, it seems never ending and is never forgotten.
10. Camels usually live to be between 40-50 years old.