Camels, large, even-toed ungulates, are known for their distinctive humps and ability to thrive in challenging arid environments. They are known as “ships of the desert” for their historical role in transport and trade across dry landscapes. Their biology allows them to endure conditions inhospitable to many other large mammals. This article explores camel species, physical attributes, and survival mechanisms.
Types and Physical Characteristics
Two main camel species exist: the Dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) and the Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), distinguished by their humps. Dromedaries possess a single hump, resembling a ‘D’ on its side, and are also known as Arabian camels. Bactrian camels, in contrast, feature two humps, likened to a ‘B’ in profile.
Camels are substantial animals; Dromedaries weigh 880-1,320 pounds and stand 5.9-6.6 feet tall at the shoulder, while Bactrian camels are larger, weighing 990-1,100 pounds and reaching 5.2-5.9 feet. Both species have long legs and necks, contributing to their imposing stature. Their wide, padded feet spread weight, preventing sinking into soft sand. Tough, flexible lips allow them to consume thorny desert vegetation without injury.
Unique Adaptations for Survival
Camel humps serve as a reservoir for fatty tissue, not water. This stored fat metabolizes to provide energy and water when food and drink are scarce, allowing camels to endure extended periods without sustenance. When resources are abundant, humps are firm and upright; they deflate and droop if the camel has gone without food for a long time. Concentrating fat in humps also minimizes body insulation, aiding heat regulation and reducing sweating in hot climates.
Camels conserve water exceptionally well, consuming up to 30 gallons in a single sitting when available. Their highly developed kidneys produce concentrated urine, minimizing water loss through excretion. Feces are exceptionally dry, further reducing fluid expenditure. Camels tolerate significant dehydration, losing up to 25% of their body weight in water without adverse effects. This threshold would be fatal for most other mammals.
Their oval-shaped red blood cells maintain blood flow during dehydration, circulating efficiently even when blood thickens. These cells possess elasticity, allowing them to swell up to 240% of their original volume without rupturing during rapid rehydration. Adaptations for sand and heat include double rows of long eyelashes and closable nostrils that prevent sand from entering eyes and nasal passages during sandstorms. Camels allow their body temperature to fluctuate over a wide range, rising during the hot day and falling at night. This helps conserve water by reducing the need for evaporative cooling like sweating.
Habitat and Social Behavior
Camels inhabit deserts and arid regions of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Dromedary camels are widespread across North Africa and the Middle East, with a feral population also in Australia. Bactrian camels are native to Central and East Asia, specifically the Gobi Desert in China and Mongolia.
While domesticated camels number in the millions globally, the wild Bactrian camel is critically endangered, with fewer than 1,000 individuals remaining. This species faces threats from hunting, habitat loss, and interbreeding with domesticated camels. Camels are social animals that live in herds, often consisting of females and their young, led by a dominant adult male.
A notable camel behavior is “spitting,” primarily a defensive mechanism. When threatened or agitated, camels regurgitate and project stomach contents—a mixture of stomach fluids and partially digested food. This action deters perceived threats, rather than being a form of communication or a sign of poor water conservation.