Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bo vidae
Genus: Camelus
Species: C. drome dar ies,
bactrianus, ferus
Camels are amazing animals that live in the deserts of North Africa, some of Asia and the Middle East. These animals are especially designed for desert life. Due to these amazing adaptations, humans have been using camels for transport for thousands years. In fact, one of their nicknames is “the ship of the desert.” There are two species of camels. They are similar in most aspects. The major difference is that the Arabian or dromedary camel has only one hump and lives in the Middle East and North Africa. The Bactrian camel has two humps and comes from Asia.
Some of the most amazing adaptations camels have are how they protect themselves from the sand. To protect their eyes, they have very long eyelashes and bushy eyebrows. Camels can also close their nostrils to protect against wind and sand. The slotted shape of their nostrils also helps them lessen the amount of water they lose from breathing. Their ability to survive in one of the harshest climates in the world is incredible. They are also known as being gentle and patient animals. It is no wonder they have been helping humans for so many years.
Here are some interesting facts about camels:
• Camels can travel 100 miles in the desert without water.
• Camels can drink 30 gallons of water in 13 minutes.
• Their extremely long eyelashes help to keep sand from their eyes.
• They can travel 25 miles a day with heavy loads.
• From their shoulders, camels are about 6 feet tall.
• Camels are herbivores; they eat plants.
• Wide foot pads help them travel in deep sand.
• Camels are used for transport, meat, milk, fur and leather.
• Camels’ blood cells are ovals instead of circles. This helps prevent clumping in dehydration.
• Camels have split lips to help them grab on to the desert foliage when they graze.
• They also have tough lips so they can eat thorny desert plants.
• The humps store fat that camels break down into energy and water.
*To defend themselves, camels “spit” a green badsmelling liquid from their stomachs.* YUCK!
