Dromedary Camel
Desert
The camel stores fat in the hump on its back, so it can go up to two weeks without water. Double rows of eyelashes keep out blowing sand, and its wide feet let it walk on hot sand.
Quick facts
- Habitat
- It lives in the deserts and grasslands of Arabia, North Africa, and India.
- Diet
- It eats desert grass, dry leaves, and even thorny leaves.
- Size and weight
- Shoulder height 1.8–2m, weight 400–600kg.
- Lifespan
- About 40–50 years
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
- Fun facts
- It can drink 100 liters of water at once!
It can close its nostrils, so it can breathe even in a sandstorm.
Learn more
A perfect survival machine crossing the scorching desert
The amazing secrets of the Dromedary Camel
- An icon of evolution, perfectly adapted to desert life over thousands of years.
- Let's uncover the camel's hidden abilities one by one.
Basic facts about the dromedary camel
A reliable companion of the dry desert
- It lives in the arid deserts and grasslands of North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
- A large mammal, growing up to 2.1m tall and weighing up to 600kg.
- An herbivore that mainly eats grass, leaves, and thorny desert plants.
- With a lifespan of about 40–50 years, it can live in the desert for a very long time.
Is there water inside its hump?
Not a giant water tank, but an energy reserve
- The camel's hump is filled not with water but with 'fat.'
- When food is scarce, it breaks down the fat in its hump to use as survival energy.
- When it uses a lot of energy, the hump shrinks and can even flop to one side.
- With the fat gathered on its back, heat doesn't get trapped throughout its body, keeping it cool.
An amazing water-drinking ability
A huge amount of water in one sitting
- It has an astonishing endurance, able to go up to 2 weeks without water.
- After a long dry spell, once it finds water, it can drink 135 liters in just 13 minutes.
- Thanks to its uniquely oval-shaped red blood cells, its blood vessels don't burst even after drinking that much.
A body temperature that shifts on its own
A special strategy to avoid sweating
- It freely adjusts its own body temperature between 30°C and 40°C depending on day and night.
- During the day, it raises its body temperature to keep from overheating and sweating too much.
- By minimizing water loss through sweat, it can endure the dry desert for a long time.
A natural shield hidden in its face
Eyes and nose unfazed by harsh sandstorms
- Long, thick double eyelashes safely protect its eyes from sunlight and sand.
- It has a thin 'third eyelid' that protects the eyes while still allowing it to see.
- It uses the muscles around its nose to freely open and close its nostrils, keeping sand out.
A mouth that can even chew cactus
The ability to digest any desert plant
- Its split upper lip is highly sensitive, letting it carefully pick around thorny plants.
- The inside of its mouth is covered with very tough, sturdy tissue, so sharp thorns don't hurt it.
- With 34 sturdy teeth and a unique chewing method, it can grind down even the toughest plants.
Feet that don't sink into sand
A soft, natural snowshoe
- It has only two toes, and its entire sole is covered by a broad, thick leathery pad.
- When it steps down, its foot spreads wide, distributing its weight so it doesn't sink into soft sand.
- Its tough, leathery foot pads also protect its feet from the scorching heat of midday sand.
The rolling boat of the desert
A unique gait that maximizes efficiency
- It walks with a 'pacing' gait, moving both left legs together, then both right legs together.
- This gait sways its body side to side as it walks, feeling like riding a boat — earning it the nickname 'ship of the desert.'
- This gait uses little energy and has less recoil, making it very efficient for long desert crossings.
The ultimate camel showdown
How are dromedary and Bactrian camels different?
- Dromedary camel
- Humps — 1
- Habitat — hot sandy deserts (Middle East, Africa)
- Build — slender with long legs
- Bactrian camel
- Humps — 2
- Habitat — cold rocky deserts (Central/East Asia)
- Build — long-haired and sturdy
Much faster than you'd think
It doesn't just plod along slowly
- It normally walks slowly at 4–12km/h, but can pick up tremendous speed when needed.
- Over short distances, it can run across the sand at speeds close to 60km/h.
- In the Middle East, 'camel racing,' which showcases the camel's speed and stamina, is a very popular sport.