News Desk:

• There are two different types of camels: Dromedary Camels and Bractrion Camels.

• Dromedary Camels are also known as Arabian camels.

• Dromedary Camels have only one hump.

• Dromedary Camels live in the Middle East, North Africa, West Asia and in the Australian Outback.

• Dromedary Camels weigh between 650-1,300 pounds.

• Bractrion Camels are camels with two humps.

• Bractrion Camels live in Central Asia and East Asia.

• Bractrion Camels are a little bigger that Dromedary Camels. They weigh between 650-2,200 pounds.

• Camels are sometimes called “ships of the desert.” This is because they hold a lot of items to transport through the desert.

• Camels coats (hair) reflect the desert sun and keeps them cool in very hot temperatures. It will also keep them warm in cooler temperatures.

• Camels can hold up to 900 pounds but usually carry loads around 400 pounds.

• Camels can run at speeds up to 40 miles per hour for short amounts of time.

• They usually travel 25 miles a day at 3 miles per hour.

• Camels are mammals.

• Camels are herbivores meaning they eat mostly greens and vegetation.

• Camels eat grass, grains, seeds, twigs and even plants with thorns.

• Camels have thick lips which allow them to eat the thorny plants without getting hurt.

• Camels three sets of eyelids with two rows of eyelashes.

• A camels eyelashes help keep the desert sand and dust out of their eyes.

• Camels are able to close their nostrils to keep sand and dust out.

• Camels are known for spitting. They do this when they feel threatened.

• Camels are 7ft tall measuring from the top of their hump to their feet.

• Camels are intelligent, have good eyesight and hearing.

• Camels usually live to be between 40-50 years old.

• Almost all camels are domesticated meaning they do not live in the wild.

• Camels have been domesticated for around 5,000 years.

• A camel’s hump does not store water. Their humps store fat.

• Camels have the ability to store up to 80 pounds of fat in their humps at one time.

• When no food is available the fat in the camels hump converts to energy and water so the camel can live.

• The ability for camels to live off the fat in their humps allows them to go without food and water for a couple of weeks (depending on the temperature) if needed. In cooler climates camels can go longer than in hot climates without food.

• When all the fat in the hump is used up the hump will get smaller and even flop over on the camels side.

• Camels have oval blood cells they do not clump together like ours do when they are dehydrated. This allows them to go longer periods of time without water.

• A camel can drink up to 40 gallons of water at one time.

• Camels can kick all four legs front and back.

• Camels rest lying down with their legs tucked under them.

• A camels pee is thick like syrup.

• A camels poop is really dry.

• Some people eat camel meat and drink camels milk.

• Camels milk is lower in fat than cows milk.

• A mother camel is pregnant for 13 months.

• They give birth to one calf, twins are rare.

• A calf weighs around 90 pounds when they are born.

• Calves drink their mother’s milk.

• Calves are born without a hump. Their hump develops when they are finished nursing (getting milk) from their mother.

• Calves are sometimes born with white hair. Their hair will turn brown as they get older.

• If you want to see a camel check with your state’s zoo. Many zoos have camels for people to see.

Source: www.onekind.org