*Top 13* Amazing Camel Facts!
Camels are built for survival in the harshest deserts on Earth. They live in the Middle East, northern India, and North Africa, including the Sahara Desert.
They can travel long distances without food or water. From their thick eyelashes to their wide, padded feet, every part of a camel’s body is designed to handle extreme heat, sand, and scarcity.
There are two main types of camels: the one-humped Dromedary and the two-humped Bactrian.
Read on to learn more amazing Camel Facts!
1) Camels are Mammals
Camels are mammals, which means that they have fur or hair, are warm blooded, have lungs that breathe air, and a complex brain. And they give birth to live young and nurse them.
Camels also have have long legs, a large mid-section, and a hump on their back.
2) There are 3 Camel Species
There are 3 camel species – Dromedary, Bactrian, and Wild Bactrian. Dromedary have one hump; Bactrian and Wild Bactrian have two humps.
As a reminder, a species is a group in which two individuals can mate and produce fertile offspring. So the 3 camel species cannot mate with each other.
3) Most Camels have One Hump
If you think all camels have one hump, think again! 94% of the world’s camels have one hump. But the other 6% have 2 humps.
Amazingly, in 2019 a 3-humped camel colony was discovered! They were located in the Rub al-Khali desert in Oman, near the Saudi border.
4) A Camel’s Hump is NOT full of Water
Contrary to popular belief, a camel’s hump is not full of water! In fact, it is full of fat!
When food is scarce, the fat provides energy (and a small amount of water) to the camel. That’s why camels can go several days without food. If a camel uses all of the fat inside its hump, the hump will become limp and droop down.
5) Camels don’t need much water
Camels have adapted to their dry, desert environment. Amazingly, they can go without water for up to 3 weeks!
They fill up on water whenever possible. Fortunately, their bodies rehydrate faster than any other mammal. In fact, they can drink 30 gallons of water in 13 minutes!
6) Camels have Oval-Shaped Red Blood Cells to prevent dehydration
Camels are the only mammals in the world woval-shaped red blood cells. This unique shape helps their blood flow easily, even when they are dehydrated.
This is why camels can survive long periods without water in scorching desert heat. Also, the oval-shaped red blood cells can expand up to 240% of their normal volume without bursting when they rehydrate.
7) Dromedary Camels have One Hump
Dromedary Camels have One hump. Known as the camel of Arabia, they make up 94% of the world’s camel population. All living members of the species are domesticated.
Dromedary Camels are found throughout arid regions in the Middle East, northern India, and North Africa, including the Sahara Desert.
8) Bactrian Camels have 2 Humps
Bactrian Camels have 2 humps. Shorter and heavier than Dromedaries, Bactrian Camels make up only 6% of the world’s camel population.
Bactrian Camels are domesticated and are native to the Gobi Desert in China and the Bactrian steppes of Mongolia.
9) Wild Bactrian Camels have 2 Humps
Wild Bactrian Camels have 2 humps. Unlike Dromedary and Bactrian Camels, they are not domesticated. Instead – as their name suggests – they live in the wild without human owners.
Although their names are similar, Wild Bactrian Camels are a completely different species then Bactrian Camels.
Wild Bactrian Camels live in the Gobi and Taklamakan Deserts in China and Mongolia. Sadly, there are only 1,400 Wild Bactrian Camels left, making them Critically Endangered.
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10) Camels are Pregnant for 13-14 Months
Female camels get pregnant around once every two years. They are pregnant for 13-14 months; one of the longest gestation periods for mammals.
A baby camel weighs a whopping 77-88 pounds at birth! It can walk 30 minutes after coming out of the womb. Similar to elephants, young camel males form bachelor herds; while females remain in the same herd as their mothers.
11) Camels are Herbivores
Due to their thick lips, camels can eat things that other animals cannot, such as thorny plants.
12) Camels have been Domesticated for over 2,000 Years
The majority of the world’s camels are domesticated. These “ships of the desert” can carry 375-600 pounds. They have been transporting people and goods for thousands of years. T
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13) Camels have double-lashed Eyelashes to protect their eyes
Camels have 2 rows of long eyelashes that interlock to protect their eyes from blowing sand.
They also have a third, clear eyelid that sweeps horizontally across their eye like a windshield wiper. (Dogs and cats also have a clear eyelid).
As if that wasn’t enough, Camels can shut their nostrils during sandstorms!
Final Thoughts
Camels are true desert survivors, perfectly adapted by nature to thrive in environments where few others can. Whether it’s their humps, long lashes, or oval blood cells, every feature helps them thrive in the harshest climates.
If you loved learning these amazing camel facts, don’t forget to share this post with fellow animal lovers!
