Overview of Camels
You might have read about desert animals. Camel is the most important desert animal. Camels have humps on their body. The African camels have one hump on their back, but in some camels, there can be two also one example include the Asian camel. Camels are very helpful for people living in the desert. There are working in different deserts around the world. The scientific name of the camel is Camelus.
This article will discuss camels and some camel facts for kids. So, let us continue learning.
Camel
Habitat of Camel
In Central Asia, Bactrian camels live, while in North Africa and the Middle East, Arabian camels are found. Bactrian camels are kept in homes and used for different purposes. Camels are especially found in desert areas but can survive in similar environments.
Physical Features of Camel
The weight of camels can be up to 650 kg. They are 6-7 feet in height. They have a hump that consists of fats and muscles. Camels have long necks. They have a small head and split upper lip. They have long eyelashes. These long eyelashes protect their eyes from heavy Sandstrom and high-intensity temperatures. Camel has four long legs with two hoofed toes on each foot. Sand-coloured hair is present all over the body. They can close their nostril and block the entry of sand inside the nose.
Two-humped Camel
Diet of Camels
Camels can easily survive in deserts. Camels are herbivores which means they feed on plants only. They eat plants, shrubs, and grasses present in deserts. They can even eat thorny plants. They can survive for many days without water. Without food and water, the fat in humps nourishes them and keeps them alive. Camels drink water very fastly.
Camel Eating Grass
Reproduction in Camels
Reproduction is the process of giving birth to new individuals known as offspring. In the case of camels, one main male camel can come in contact with many female camels in one season. Bactrian camels show reproduction from the month of November to May. Arabian camels can show the process of reproduction throughout the year. New baby camels are born after 12-14 months.
Camel Babies Names
The newborn baby camels are known as calves. Calves can walk after 30 minutes of their birth. The camel kids get mature at the age of 7 years. Now they can walk and eat properly. When they are strong, they can join the herd again, as, during the birth, the mother camel is separated from the herd to take care of the newborn camel.
Uses of Camels
Camels have been used for many years by human beings. Some of them are discussed below:
Transport: Desert people use camels for transportation. They ride on them. They used to carry loads on camels. Camels can take a load of up to 650 kg.
Food: People living in the desert eat the meat of camels. The milk of camel is also used by them for drinking and another purpose.
Materials: Camel body hairs are used for making carpets, rugs, tents, blankets, ropes, etc.
Fuel: Dried camel droppings are used as fuel. Camel dung is also used as fuel.
Camel Facts for Kids
Some camel facts for kids are:
Camels do not store water in their humps. Fat is stored inside the humps.
Camels store water in their blood.
Camels are not born with a hump on their body.
Camel milk is rich in nutrients.
Camels can survive up to 50 years.
In the United Arab Emirates, camel festivals are celebrated.
When camels feel them in danger, they spit.
Camels are social animals.
Summary
In this article, we have discussed the most important desert animal known as the camel. It is a mammal that can survive in any condition but is most comfortable in deserts. The weight and height of camels can be up to 650 kg and 6-7 feet. They are herbivores. They can store water in their body. They can survive without water for many days, even months.
Humps are their distinctive feature. They have big eyelids to protect their eyes. They have a split upper lip so they can easily eat the small grasses and plants in the deserts. The camel kids are called calves.
FAQs on Facts About Camel
1. What makes a camel a special animal, perfectly suited for the desert?
Camels are special because of their unique adaptations to survive in harsh desert environments. They can carry heavy loads of over 90 kg for more than 30 kilometres a day. Their bodies are designed to conserve water, and they have features like long eyelashes and closable nostrils to protect them from sand, making them invaluable for desert travel.
2. What is the main difference between a Dromedary camel and a Bactrian camel?
The main difference lies in the number of humps they have. The Dromedary camel, found in the Middle East and North Africa, has a single hump. The Bactrian camel, native to Central Asia, is distinguished by its two humps. Bactrian camels are also generally larger and have shaggier coats to withstand colder climates.
3. Why do camels have humps, and is it true they store water in them?
This is a common misconception. A camel's hump does not store water; it stores fat. When food is scarce, the camel's body can convert this fat into the energy and water it needs to survive. A well-fed camel has a firm, upright hump, while a hump that flops over indicates the camel has used up its fat reserves.
4. How can a camel survive for a long time without drinking water?
Camels have several incredible adaptations for water conservation. Their oval-shaped red blood cells can flow easily even when dehydrated and can absorb large amounts of water without bursting. Their kidneys and intestines are extremely efficient at reabsorbing water from waste, resulting in very dry dung and concentrated urine. They can drink over 100 litres of water in just a few minutes to rehydrate quickly.
5. What are five interesting facts about camels for students?
Here are five fun and interesting facts about camels:
A baby camel is called a calf and is born without a hump.
Camels can completely shut their nostrils to keep sand out during a sandstorm.
They have thick, leathery pads on their knees and chest to protect them from the hot sand when they lie down.
A camel's mouth is very tough, allowing it to eat thorny desert plants without injury.
When they do spit, it's often a smelly, semi-digested substance from their stomach, used as a defence mechanism.
6. How do camels protect their eyes from sand in the desert?
Camels have a remarkable system to protect their eyes from blowing sand. They have a double row of very long eyelashes that act as a barrier. Additionally, they have a third, transparent eyelid that can move from side to side to wipe sand away like a windscreen wiper, allowing them to see even during a sandstorm.
7. What kind of food do camels typically eat in their natural habitat?
Camels are herbivores and have a diet that consists of whatever they can find in the desert. Their tough mouths allow them to eat thorny plants, dry grasses, and saltbushes that most other animals cannot. They are ruminants, meaning they regurgitate their food and chew it as cud to extract maximum nutrients.
8. Why are camels famously called the 'Ship of the Desert'?
Camels earned the nickname 'Ship of the Desert' because they are the most reliable mode of transport for carrying people and heavy goods across vast, arid desert landscapes. Just as a ship navigates oceans, a camel navigates the 'sea of sand' with endurance and a steady, rolling gait, making long-distance desert travel possible.
