The calf's eyes are open at birth, and a thick, woolly coat covers its body. The young camel and its mother live together for several years unless they are forcibly kept apart. When a calf is about a year old, its owner begins to teach it to stand and kneel on command. The young camel also learns to carry a saddle or small, light packs. The size and weight of the packs are gradually increased as the camel grows older.
Camels can go for days or even weeks with little or no food or water.
Desert people feed their camels dates, grass, and such grains as wheat and oats. When a camel travels across the desert, food may be hard to find. The animal may have to live on dried leaves, seeds, and whatever desert plants it can find. A camel can eat a thorny twig without hurting its mouth. The lining of the mouth is so tough that the sharp thorns cannot push through the skin.