While it is a common misconception that camels have no place in the American Southwest, the animal possesses a deep and unique history in Texas. No large, wild populations roam the state today, but camels are present under specific, regulated circumstances. Their current status results from a fascinating 19th-century military experiment and the modern exotic livestock trade. This history stretches back over 160 years, beginning with a U.S. government attempt to find a more suitable pack animal for the arid frontier.
The United States Camel Corps Experiment
The idea to import camels stemmed from the logistical challenges the U.S. Army faced in transporting supplies across the vast, dry expanses of the Southwest territories. Horses and mules required constant water and grain feed, which were difficult to provision along the long routes between military posts. Then-Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, who had experience in the arid region, championed the idea. Camels were known for their superior endurance, capacity to carry heavy loads, and ability to thrive on native desert forage.
In 1855, Congress approved $30,000 for the project, and a delegation was sent to the Middle East to procure the animals. The first shipment of 34 camels, including Dromedaries and Bactrians, arrived in May 1856 at Indianola, Texas. A second group of 41 camels arrived the following year. This established the official U.S. Army Camel Corps, headquartered at Camp Verde near present-day Kerrville.
Initial field tests demonstrated the camels’ fitness for the task, as they easily carried loads of 300 to 400 pounds and traversed long distances where traditional pack animals failed. One notable expedition involved a 1,200-mile survey from Texas to California, which officers praised as a success. However, the experiment faced significant challenges. These included the inability of American soldiers to effectively handle the unfamiliar beasts, the camels’ tendency to spook horses and mules, and cultural resistance to the exotic animals.
Dispersal of the Historic Camel Population
The ultimate demise of the Camel Corps was less about the animals’ performance and more about political upheaval. The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 immediately disrupted the program, and the headquarters at Camp Verde fell into Confederate hands. The camels became a non-priority for both sides during the conflict, effectively ending the military experiment.
After the war concluded, anything associated with Jefferson Davis, the former President of the Confederacy, was viewed with suspicion by the U.S. government. Despite the camels’ proven utility, the Army made the political decision to abandon the project entirely. The remaining animals were sold at public auction in 1866, purchased by private individuals including ranchers, prospectors, and circus operators.
Many of the auctioned camels were put to work in the American Southwest and Mexico, utilized for mining and freight hauling. A number of the animals either escaped or were released into the wild by their new owners. This led to reports of feral camels across Texas, Arizona, and as far as Arkansas, with sightings continuing into the early 20th century. This dispersal explains why the state does not have a large, established feral population today.
Camels in Texas Today: Exotic Livestock and Private Ownership
The camels found in Texas today are largely separate from the 19th-century military legacy, representing a modern population maintained by private owners. The state classifies these animals as “exotic livestock,” a category that includes non-indigenous, grass-eating, or plant-eating mammals. The Camelidae family, which includes the one-humped Dromedary and the two-humped Bactrian camel, is specifically referenced in Texas administrative code.
Ownership of these animals is legal and common across the state, particularly on large private ranches. While permitted, ownership is regulated by both the Texas Animal Health Commission and local jurisdictions. These agencies classify camels similarly to traditional livestock. Owners must adhere to regulations concerning movement, identification, and general animal health requirements.
Modern uses for camels in Texas are diverse, extending beyond simple novelty or exhibition in zoos. They are often kept for breeding, tourism, historical reenactments, and as part of the state’s exotic game industry. This modern presence reflects the state’s unique approach to private exotic animal ownership. This ensures that the “ships of the desert” remain a small but visible part of the Texas landscape.