Dromedary facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dromedary camel |
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C. dromedarius
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| Camelus dromedarius Linnaeus, 1758
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The dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) also called the Arabian camel, is a large even-toed ungulate, of the genus camelus, with one hump on its back.
It is the tallest of the three species of camel; adult males stand 1.8–2 m (5.9–6.6 ft) at the shoulder, while females are 1.7–1.9 m (5.6–6.2 ft) tall. Males typically weigh between 400 and 600 kg (880 and 1,320 lb), and females weigh between 300 and 540 kg (660 and 1,190 lb).
The species' distinctive features include its long, curved neck, narrow chest, a single hump (compared with two on the Bactrian camel and wild Bactrian camel), and long hairs on the throat, shoulders and hump. The coat is generally a shade of brown. The hump, 20 cm (7.9 in) tall or more, is made of fat bound together by fibrous tissue.
Dromedaries are mainly active during daylight hours. They form herds of about 20 individuals, which are led by a dominant male.
This camel feeds on foliage and desert vegetation; several adaptations, such as the ability to tolerate losing more than 30% of its total water content, allow it to thrive in its desert habitat.
Females bear a single calf after a gestation of 15 months.
The dromedary has not occurred naturally in the wild for nearly 2,000 years. It was probably first domesticated in the Arabian Peninsula about 4,000 years ago, or in Somalia where there are paints in Laas Geel that figure it from more than 5,000 to 9,000 years ago. In the wild, the dromedary inhabited arid regions, including the Sahara Desert. The domesticated dromedary is generally found in the semi-arid to arid regions of the Old World, mainly in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and a significant feral population occurs in Australia.
Products of the dromedary, including its meat and milk, support several north Arabian tribes; it is also commonly used for riding and as a beast of burden.
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Taxonomy and classification
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| Phylogenetic relationships of the dromedary from combined analysis of all molecular data. |
The dromedary shares the genus Camelus with the Bactrian camel (C. bactrianus) and the wild Bactrian camel (C. ferus). The dromedary belongs to the family Camelidae. The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle (4th century BC) was the first to describe the species of Camelus. He named two species in his History of Animals; the one-humped Arabian camel and the two-humped Bactrian camel. The dromedary was given its current binomial name Camelus dromedarius by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 publication Systema Naturae.
Characteristics
The dromedary is the tallest of the three camel species. Adult males range in height between 1.8 and 2 m (5.9 and 6.6 ft) at the shoulder; females range between 1.7 and 1.9 m (5.6 and 6.2 ft). Males typically weigh between 400 and 600 kg (880 and 1,320 lb); females range between 300 and 540 kg (660 and 1,190 lb).
The distinctive features are its long, curved neck, narrow chest and single hump (the Bactrian camel has two), thick, double-layered eyelashes and bushy eyebrows.
They have sharp vision and a good sense of smell.
The male has a soft palate (dulaa in Arabic) nearly 18 cm (7.1 in) long, which it inflates to produce a deep pink sac. The palate, which is often mistaken for the tongue, dangles from one side of the mouth and is used to attract females during the mating season.
The coat is generally brown but can range from black to nearly white. The hair is long and concentrated on the throat, shoulders and the hump.
The large eyes are protected by prominent supraorbital ridges; the ears are small and rounded.
The hump is at least 20 cm (7.9 in) high.
The dromedary has long, powerful legs with two toes on each foot. The feet resemble flat, leathery pads. Like the giraffe, dromedaries moves both legs on one side of the body at the same time.
Compared with the Bactrian camel, the dromedary has a lighter build, longer limbs and shorter hairs.
Behavior
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The dromedary is diurnal (active mainly during daylight); free-ranging herds feed and roam throughout the day, though they rest during the hottest hours around noon. The night is mainly spent resting.
Dromedaries form groups of about 20 individuals, which consist of several females led by a dominant male. Females may also lead in turns. Some males either form bachelor groups or roam alone. Herds may congregate to form associations of hundreds of camels during migrations at the time of natural disasters.
In Australia, short-term home ranges of feral dromedaries cover 50 to 150 km2 (19 to 58 sq mi); annual home ranges can spread over several thousand square kilometres.
Special behavioral features of the dromedary include snapping at others without biting them and showing displeasure by stamping their feet. They are generally non-aggressive.
Camels scratch parts of their bodies with their legs or with their lower incisors. They may also rub against tree bark and roll in the sand.
Free-ranging dromedaries face large predators typical of their regional distribution, which includes wolves, lions and tigers.
Diet
The dromedary's diet consists mostly of foliage, dry grasses and desert vegetation – mostly thorny plants. A study said the typical diet of the dromedary is dwarf shrubs (47.5%), trees (29.9%), grasses (11.2%), other herbs (0.2%) and vines (11%). The dromedary is primarily a browser; forbs and shrubs comprise 70% of its diet in summer and 90% of its diet in winter. The dromedary may also graze on tall, young, succulent grasses.
In the Sahara, 332 plant species have been recorded as food plants of the dromedary.
Dromedaries keep their mouths open while chewing thorny food. They use their lips to grasp the food and chew each bite 40 to 50 times.
They graze for 8–12 hours per day and ruminate for an equal amount of time.
The dromedary is specially adapted to its desert habitat; these adaptations are aimed at conserving water and regulating body temperature.
The bushy eyebrows and the double row of eyelashes prevent sand and dust from entering the eyes during strong windstorms, and shield them from the sun's glare.
The dromedary is able to close its nostrils voluntarily; this assists in water conservation.
The dromedary can conserve water by reducing perspiration by fluctuating the body temperature throughout the day. In the hottest temperatures, the dromedary takes water every four to seven days. This camel has a quick rate of rehydration and can drink at 10–20 L (2.2–4.4 imp gal) per minute.
The hump stores up to 80 lb (36 kg) of fat, which the camel can break down into energy to meet its needs when resources are scarce; the hump also helps get rid of body heat.
Though the padded hooves effectively support the camel's weight on the ground, they are not suitable for walking on slippery and muddy surfaces.
Reproduction
A single calf is born after a gestation period of 15 months. Calves move freely by the end of their first day. Nursing and maternal care continue for one to two years.
Current distribution of captive animals
In the early 21st century, the domesticated dromedary is found in the semi-arid to arid regions of the Old World.
Africa
Africa has more than 80% of the world's total dromedary population; it occurs in almost every desert zone in the northern part of the continent.
Asia
In Asia, nearly 70% of the population occurs in India and Pakistan.
Feral population
Feral dromedary populations occur in Australia, where it was introduced in 1840, from the Canary Islands (Spain). The total dromedary population in Australia was 500,000 in 2005.
Nearly 99% of the populations are feral, and they have annual growth rate of 10%. Most of the Australian feral camels are dromedaries, with only a few Bactrian camels.
Most of the dromedaries occur in Western Australia, with smaller populations in the Northern Territory, Western Queensland and northern South Australia.
Relationship with humans
The strength and docility of the dromedary make it popular as a domesticated animal. According to Richard Bulliet, they can be used for a wide variety of purposes: riding, transport, ploughing, and trading and as a source of milk, meat, wool and leather. The main attraction of the dromedary for nomadic desert-dwellers is the wide variety of resources they provide, which are crucial for their survival. It is important for several Bedouin pastoralist tribes of northern Arabia, such as the Ruwallah, the Rashaida, the Bani Sakhr and the Mutayr.
Riding camels
The dromedary has been used in warfare since the 2nd century BC. It is particularly prized for its capability to outrun horses in the deserts.
The dromedary also remains popular for racing, particularly in the Arab world.
Baggage and draught camels
The baggage camel should be robust and heavy. The methods of training the baggage camels are similar to those for riding camels.
Draught camels are used for several purposes including ploughing, processing in oil mills and pulling carts.
Dairy products
Camel milk is a staple food of nomadic tribes living in deserts.
Dromedaries in Somalia may be milked between two and four times a day, while those in Afar, Ethiopia, may be milked up to seven times a day.
Cheese and other dairy products can be made from camel milk.
Meat
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Camel meat is often eaten by African camel herders, who use it only during severe food scarcity or for rituals. Camel meat is processed into food items such as burgers, patties, sausages and shawarma. Dromedaries can be slaughtered between four and ten years of age. As the animal ages, the meat grows tougher and deteriorates in taste and quality. In Somalian and Djiboutian culture, the dromedary is a staple food and can be found in many recipes and dishes.
Camel hair and wool
Camels in hot climates generally do not develop long coats. Camel hair is light, and has low thermal conductivity and durability, and is thus suitable for manufacturing warm clothes, blankets, tents, and rugs. Hair of highest quality is typically obtained from juvenile or wild camels.
Images for kids
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Dromedary heart
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A dromedary skull
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Camel kidney (longitudinal cut)
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"Lion Attacking a Dromedary," a 19th century taxidermy diorama by Jules and Édouard Verreaux.
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Mating
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Camel slaughter in Mauritania
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See also
In Spanish: Dromedario para niños
