CAMEL

Welcome to the realm of our graceful Dromedary Camel, a true desert dweller.

The Dromedary Camel, also known as the Arabian Camel, is native to the Arabian Peninsula. They are believed to have originated in the deserts of the Middle East, particularly the Arabian Desert.

There are two main camel breeds - Dromedary Camels with one hump, and Bactrian Camels with two.

Our girl Gypsy is a Dromedary Camel, with a wide, curving mouth which seems set in a permanent smile.

Dromedary camels have short, dense coats that help regulate their body temperature. The colour of their coat can vary from light beige to dark brown.

These majestic beings live for 30 to 40 years. They are large and heavy animals, with males weighing 900 to 1600 kilograms and females 500 to 600 kilograms. Males are called bulls, females are called cows, desexed males are known as geldings, and baby camels are calves. These desert nomads gestate for 12 to 14 months, patiently awaiting new life amidst the arid sands. A group of camels is called a ‘caravan’.

Camels are known for their calm and patient demeanour, enduring the desert's timeless wait with ease. Sometimes described as stubborn, they exhibit a strong sense of self-preservation, resisting commands when their instincts call.

Camels serve as steadfast pack animals, bearing the burdens of time and trade. They transport precious cargo, produce nourishing milk and succulent meat, and provide valuable resources like leather and wool.

Camels primarily feed on a variety of desert vegetation, including thorny bushes, dry grasses, and woody shrubs. They are known to eat a wide range of plant species, some of which would be unpalatable or indigestible to many other animals, further enhancing their survival skills in the harsh, arid environment.

Here’s some fun facts about camels.

Their humps aren't water tanks but fat reserves, acting as an energy source when food and water are scarce. Their eyelashes shield against the desert's harsh elements, and their nostrils can close tightly to keep sand at bay.

Camels can drink up to 113 litres of water at once, then endure up to 15 days without a sip.

And their unique gait moves both right feet followed by both left feet—a camel's ballet in the desert!

With patience, resilience and amazing natural adaptation, camels are the ultimate desert survivors!