Domestic Arabian Camel

An on-board energy pack

It’s easy to tell the two types of camel apart: Bactrian camels have two humps, while Arabian camels have only one. Contrary to popular belief, camel humps do not store water. Instead they store fat – and function as the camel’s personal energy reserve.

Characteristics

  • Origin

    Northern and eastern Africa, south-western Asia

  • Habitat

    Steppes and (semi-)deserts

  • Diet

    Herbaceous plants, grasses, twigs, leaves

  • Status

    least concern

  • Size

    1,7 to 2 m

  • Weight

    300 to 600 kg

  • Gestation period

    15 months

  • Achievable age

    up to 30 years

Threat Categories of IUCN

A bellowing serenade

Male Arabian camels perform a special ritual to impress their chosen mate: they inflate their soft palate and let it dangle out the side of their mouth. This “dulaa”, as it is known in Arabic, helps to amplify their gurgling mating calls.

Did you know?

Arabian camels can withstand losing up to 40 % of their body weight in water. For humans, just 14 % water loss is fatal.
Arabian camels are domestic animals whose wild ancestors have been extinct since ancient times.

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