Interesting Facts About Camels

Interesting Facts About Camels

Most people only know that camels are found in the desert, have humps on their backs and can go for a time without water but there is much more to know about these wonderful animals. Read this informative article to find out some little known facts about camels. I hope you enjoy reading these interesting facts about camels.There are two types of camels. The Bactrian, also known as the Asian camel has two humps whereas the Dromedary or Arabian camel has one. The Bactrian camel is shorter and stockier than the Dromedary camel. It also has longer, finer wool and can endure variable temperatures.

Camels can live up to approximately fifty years.


The color of a camel's coat can vary ranging from beige to dark brown. Camels shed their heavy winter coat each year.


Camels have thick eyelashes that could be the envy of many women. In fact, camels have two rows of long, thick eyelashes to protect their eyes from the desert dust.


Camels were domesticated by humans about 5000 years ago.


Contrary to popular belief, camels do not store water in their humps. Water is stored in their blood which allows them to go for several days without water or food. A camels hump is actually a reservoir of fatty tissue.


Camels are often found alone but these animals may be spotted in groups of about thirty camels.


Camels have leathery pads on their feet that spread to prevent them from sinking in the sand. They have two toes on each foot.


Camels reach adult age between five to seven years.


Camels can reach a height of between 6 to 7 feet and may weigh anywhere between 1000 to 1600 pounds.


The gestation period of a camel is 11 months. Usually one calf at a time is born.


Camels can carry an average of 1000 pounds for long distances.


Camels have stomachs with three sections. They eat grass, dates, wheat, oats, leaves and plants. They eat their food without chewing, regurgitate and chew the cud later.


A female camel is referred to as a cow. A male is called a bull. A baby camel, as mentioned above is referred to as a calf.


Camels have a ridge and bushy eyebrows to protect their eyes from the sun.


Camels can close their nostrils and lips tightly in order to keep sand out during desert storms.


Camels can drink up to seven gallons of water a day.


Baby camels are born without a hump.


A camel's hump will shrink if it does not eat.


Camels form leathery pads on their knees for kneeling.


In the wild a camel's natural diet is high in salt. Camels bred in captivity need a salt block to lick to ensure adequate salt content in their diet.


The hump on the camel’s back is a lump of fat.


Camels do not chew the food and swallow it instead. They regurgitate and chew the cud later.


Camels shed their coat each year.


Camels have two layers of thick eyelashes to protect them from the dust.


Camels can eat thorny twigs without hurting its mouth.


Camels can live without water for days and even months.


A camel can drink about 200 liters of water in a day.


The body temperature of the camel rises during the day and cools off during the night.


Camel’s ears are very small and hairy but their hearing power is very strong.