Camel

## Ships of the desert

Camels were domesticated more than 3,000 years ago, and to this day, humans depend on them for transport across arid environments. They can easily carry an extra 200 pounds (90 kilograms) while walking 20 miles (32 kilometers) a day in the harsh desert. Camels can travel as fast as horses but can also endure legendary periods of time without food or water. Humans have used camels for their wool, milk, meat, leather, and even dung, which can be used for fuel.

The dromedary camel, also known as the Arabian camel, exists today only as a domesticated animal. About 90 percent of the world’s camels are dromedaries. There are two types of Bactrian camels: one wild and one domesticated. Wild Bactrian camels are much different from domesticated Bactrians: they are trimmer, with smaller humps and less hair.

## One hump or two?

The dromedary camel has one hump and the Bactrian camel has two. What’s the easiest way to remember? Think of the capital letter D lying on its side: “D” stands for dromedary. Now think of the capital letter B on its side: “B” for Bactrian! But what’s in those humps? They store fat, not water. The fat becomes an energy source.

The length of time a camel can survive on this stored energy depends on climate and the animal’s activity levels. The size of the hump can change, depending on the amount of food the camel eats. When food is scarce, the camel’s body uses the fat stored in the hump, causing the hump to lean over and droop. A camel can go a week or more without water, and it can last for several months without food. It can survive a 40 percent body weight loss and then drink up to 32 gallons (145 liters) of water at one drinking session!

## At home in the sand

Swirling desert sand can be a problem for most of us, but camels have special adaptations for the pesky stuff. A thin nictitating membrane on each eye, like a clear inner eyelid, protects the eyes from sandstorms while still letting in enough light for camels to see.

Double rows of extra-long eyelashes also help keep sand out of the eyes. And camels can close their nostrils to keep sand out of their nose! Their large, broad feet do not sink in desert sand or snow.

Bactrian camels, native to the Gobi Desert in China and the Bactrian steppes of Mongolia, grow a shaggy coat in the winter for protection from the freezing cold, and then shed the coat during the hot summer. These camels can survive a wide range of temperatures, from minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 29 degrees Celsius) in the winter to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) in the summer!

## The spitting image

Do camels really spit? They aren’t actually spitting—it’s more like throwing up! They bring up the contents of their stomach, along with saliva, and project it out. This is meant to surprise, distract, or bother whatever the camel feels is threatening it.

## Food in the Desert

Camels are very clever at finding food in their harsh desert environment. Each half of the split upper lip moves independently, so camels can get near the ground for eating short grass. They also eat vegetation such as thorns or salty plants, and they even eat fish. Camels are ruminants, like cows, and they regurgitate the food back up from their stomach to chew it again. When they do that, smelly gasses come up as well, making for some pretty potent breath!

At the San Diego Zoo, the camels eat hay, pellets, browse, carrots, and yams.

## Say what?!

Camels make many sounds, including moaning and groaning sounds, high-pitched bleats, and loud bellows and roars. They also make a rumbling growl that was one of the noises used to create Chewbacca's voice in the *Star Wars* movies!