Camel
Camelus dromedarius
Distribution
From Senegal to Kenya (including the Sahara Desert), Middle East to North India. Introduced to central Australia.
Habitat
Savannah/desert
Gestation
13 months
Number of pups
1
Longevity
40 years
Weight
300 – 700 kg
Size
1.8 m high, 3 m long
Diet
herbivore
Conservation status
:
Domestic species
A life in the desert…
Several adaptations allow the dromedary to withstand high temperatures: its body temperature can rise up to 41°C, its red blood cells are oval and not round… Its hump, containing a reserve of fat, allows it to withstand the lack of food and/or water, and it can drink 100 liters of water in 10 minutes!
Dromedaries allow humans to live in arid regions, providing meat, milk, skin, wool, manure… But also a means of transport!
