Camels are known for specialized adaptations that allow them to thrive in arid environments. Their ability to endure extreme heat, scarce water, and limited vegetation makes them iconic desert dwellers. Some actions involving their mouths can appear unusual, leading to questions about their physiology.
Camel Digestive System
Camels possess a digestive system uniquely suited for processing tough, fibrous desert plants. Unlike typical ruminants with four stomach compartments, camels are pseudo-ruminants with three. The first and largest compartment, C1, is where initial fermentation occurs with microbes, extracting nutrients.
Partially digested food then moves to the second compartment. From here, the camel can bring this material back up for further chewing, breaking down tough fibers and increasing nutrient absorption. The food then moves through the remaining compartments for final digestion.
What Camels Actually Regurgitate
When people observe camels appearing to “throw up their stomach,” they are often witnessing one of two normal behaviors. One common sight is the regurgitation of partially digested food, or cud, which is then re-chewed. This digestive process allows them to extract maximum nutrition from low-quality forage.
The other phenomenon, particularly striking in male camels, is the protrusion of a pink, fleshy organ from their mouths, often mistaken for a stomach or tongue. This organ is an inflatable sac called the “dulaa,” or oral sac, part of the soft palate. The dulaa can be inflated and extended outside the mouth, sometimes reaching up to 18 centimeters.
Reasons for This Behavior
The regurgitation of cud is primarily a digestive strategy. By bringing up partially fermented food, camels re-chew it, mixing it with more saliva for further breakdown before swallowing. This rumination process maximizes nutrient extraction from coarse vegetation.
The dulaa display serves a different, social purpose, mainly observed in male dromedary camels. During mating season, males inflate and protrude their dulaa to attract females and assert dominance. The dulaa’s size, color, and firmness signal the male’s health and virility to potential mates. This visual display is often accompanied by gurgling sounds and foaming at the mouth.
Camels may also regurgitate stomach contents, including a foul-smelling mixture, as a defensive mechanism. This “projectile vomit” is not common but can be deployed when a camel feels threatened or provoked. It serves to surprise, distract, or deter perceived threats.
Is This Behavior Normal?
Both rumination and the dulaa display are entirely normal and healthy behaviors for camels. Regurgitating and re-chewing cud allows them to efficiently process their diet and gain adequate nutrition from available food sources.
The dulaa display, while appearing unusual to observers, is a natural part of male camel courtship rituals, signaling a healthy male seeking to reproduce. Defensive regurgitation, though less frequent, is a recognized behavioral response to perceived threats, highlighting their self-preservation instincts.