Camels have played an important role in people’s lives for centuries.
They have been known both as a means of transportation and as a source of milk, meat, and wool. Now, let’s discover some interesting facts about camels together!
1. Types of Camels
There are two main species of camels in the world:
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Dromedary – the one-humped camel, mostly found in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa.
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Bactrian – the two-humped camel, native to the regions of Central Asia.
2. New World Camels
In South America, there are four camel-like mammals:
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Llama and alpaca – called “New World camels”,
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Guanaco and vicuña – known as “South American camels”.
3. Friends of Humans
Camels have been domesticated for thousands of years. People have used them:
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As a means of transportation,
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For carrying heavy loads,
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As a source of milk, meat, and wool.
4. Longevity
On average, camels live 40–50 years.
5. Height and Size
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Shoulder height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in),
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Overall body height: 2.15 m (7 ft 1 in).
6. Speed
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In short bursts, camels can reach speeds of up to 65 km/h (40 mph).
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Over long distances, they can maintain about 40 km/h (25 mph).
7. Weight
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Dromedary – 300–600 kg,
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Bactrian – 300–1000 kg.
8. The Secret of the Humps
Many people think camels store water in their humps. In reality, humps store fat reserves. This fat can be converted into energy and water, allowing camels to survive for up to six months without food and water.
9. Adaptation to Hot Climates
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Thick fur protects them from the heat.
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In summer, their coat becomes lighter to reflect sunlight.
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Long legs keep their bodies away from the hot desert sand.
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Thick “foot pads” help raise the body slightly when they sit down.
10. Drinking Ability
A large camel can drink 113 liters (30 gallons) of water in just 13 minutes. This helps them recover more quickly than most other animals.
11. Protection Against Sand
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Long eyelashes and ear hair,
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Nostrils that can be closed,
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Wide feet – all these features make camels perfectly suited to desert life.
12. Camels in Wars
In the past, camels were also used in wars.
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The Romans used them to scare horses with their smell.
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Later, camels became essential for transporting troops and heavy weapons across sandy deserts.
13. Camel Population
Today, there are more than 14 million camels worldwide.
The largest camel population lives in the desert regions of Australia.
Conclusion:
Camels are not only the “ships of the desert,” but also loyal helpers of humans for centuries. They are strong, resilient, and truly fascinating animals!