Information on Camels Page 1

Camels roam the deserts of Africa, Arabia, Australia, and the mountains of Australia.  Dromedary, or Arabian camels have one hump and live in hot dry climates, while Bactrian camels have two humps and can live in cold climates.  Llamas, alpacas, vicunas, and guanacos do not have humps, but are indeed camels.  All these types are even-toed ungulates in the genus Camelus

 Camel Profile

A fully-grown adult camel stands 1.85m/6 feet at the shoulder and 2.15m/7 feet at the hump. The hump rises about 30 inches out of its body. Camels can run up to 40mph in short bursts, and sustain speeds of up to 25mph.

Camels have played an important part in the lives of many people for at least four thousand years.  This is mainly because camels have the ability to live in places where other large animals could never survive.

Desert Defenses

Camels have long eyelashes (A), protecting their eyes from sand.  The third eyelid (B) is like a windshield wiper on a car, wiping the sand away.  It is thin and translucent, allowing camels to see in sandstorms.

Broad ridges of bone above each eye act as built-in sun-visors, shielding the eyes.  Small ears prevent sand from getting in them.

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