Facts About Camel

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.