About 15,000 camels still roam wild in the central Australian deserts. Millions of people who live in Africa and Asia depend on camels to supply most of their needs. In lands at the edge of the deserts, camels pull plows, turn water wheels to irrigate fields, and carry grain to market. Deep in the deserts, camels are almost the only source of transportation, food, clothing, and shelter. In turn, camels need people to draw water for them from wells if they are to survive the hot summers.
Camels work hard for people, but their behavior is unpredictable.
Bactrian camels may spit, and all camels can kick. Camels may groan and bawl when they are loaded and have to rise. They can carry more but do so unwillingly. Usually, camels work only six months of the year. If too much is demanded of them, they will die from overexertion.