The dromedary camel, aka dromedary, Arabian camel, or one-humped camel, is a semi-domesticated species that has been extinct from the wild for over 2,000 years. These camels have a single hump on their back. They are the tallest of the 3 camel species. Due to being domesticated for so long, they are not listed with the IUCN. They can be found in Africa, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and the United States.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Camelus dromedarius
Weight: Up to 1,520 lbs.
Length: Up to 11.2 feet
Height: Up to 7.10 feet, at the shoulders
Lifespan: Up to 40 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) Dromedary camels are diurnal (active during the day).
2.) Herds are formed which are led by a male and consist of up to 20 individuals.
3.) They were likely first domesticated in the Arabian Peninsula around 4,000 years ago, or possibly in Somalia where there are paintings in Laas Geel from approximately 5,000 – 9,000 years ago.
4.) Back in the days of wild dromedary camels, they once inhabited arid regions, such as the Sahara Desert.
5.) A large feral population of these camels live in Australia, and are a real problem.
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6.) They are raised for their meat, milk, for riding, and as a pack animal.
7.) Females undergo up to a 15 month gestation (pregnancy) that yields a single calf.
Did you know…?
These critters can handle losing up to 30% of their body’s water content and still survive.
8.) The common name dromedary hails from the Old French dromedaire or the Late Latin dromedarius. These come from the Greek word dromas, δρομάς (ο, η) (GEN (γενική) dromados, δρομάδος), meaning runner or running.
9.) The first recorded English name “dromedary” occurred in the 14th century. The dromedary possibly originated in Arabia or Somalia and is, as a result, often referred to as the East African or the Arabian camel.
10.) Even though there are 3 species recognized, the word camel typically refers to either the dromedary or the Bactrian camel.
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11.) Little to most people’s knowledge, the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle (4th century BC) was actually the first to describe the species of Camelus. He named 2 species in his History of Animals; the 1-humped Arabian camel and the 2-humped Bactrian camel.
12.) The dromedary was awared its current binomial name Camelus dromedarius by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus in his publication Systema Naturae in 1758.
Did you know…?
The long extinct Protylopus, which occurred in North America during the upper Eocene, is the oldest and the smallest-known camel.
13.) The dromedary and the Bactrian camel often interbreed and produce fertile offspring in regions where their territories overlap. The name of these hybrids is the tülu camel.
14.) The fertility of the hybrids has given way to the idea that dromedary and Bactrian camels should be merged into a single species with 2 varieties. However, a 1994 analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene showed the species display 10.3% divergence in their sequences, so for now they remain as a separate species.
15.) Camel hybridization began in the first millennium BC. For about 1,000 years, Bactrian camels and dromedaries were successfully bred in regions where they are likely to form hybrids with either a long, slightly lopsided hump or 2 humps – 1 small and 1 large. These tülu camels are bigger and stronger than their parents and can bear greater loads.
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16.) During the transition from Pliocene to Pleistocene, numerous mammals were faced with extinction. This period marked the successful radiation of the Camelus species, which migrated over the Bering Strait and
disseminated broadly into Africa, Asia, and eastern Europe.
17.) By the Pleistocene era, ancestors of the dromedary occurred throughout the Middle East and northern Africa.
Did you know…?
The dromedary camel is prone to trypanosomiasis, a disease caused by a parasite transmitted by the tsetse fly.
18.) Males have a soft palate (dulaa in Arabic) nearly 7.1 inches long, which is inflated to produce a deep pink sac. The palate, which is often mistaken for their tongue, dangles from 1 side of the mouth and is used to attract females in the mating season.
19.) Dromedary camels typically suffer from fewer diseases than other domestic livestock like goats and cattle.
20.) In 2013, a seroepidemiological study (a study investigating the patterns, causes, and effects of a disease on a specific population on the basis of serologic tests) in Egypt was the first to show the dromedary might be a host for the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
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21.) These camels are also pestered by fleas and ticks.
22.) In Israel, the number of ticks per camel could be up to 105!
Did you know…?
Their double row of eyelashes help prevent dust and sand from getting into their eyes during strong sandstorms, and shield them from the glare of the sun.
23.) Wolves, lions, and tigers are their primary predators, based on their ranges.
24.) Foliage, dry grasses, and various desert vegetation are all on the menu. In the Sahara, 332 plant species are grazed upon.
25.) Even though they can go up to 15 days without water, they do need to drink standing water to rehydrate. They can consume up to 4.4 gallons of water a minute, and a total of up to 32 gallons of water in a single sitting!
But wait, there’s still a wee bit more on the dromedary camel!
26.) Contrary to popular belief, their hump does not store water. It actually stores up to 80 lbs. of fat reserves that can be utilized in lean times.
27.) If their hump is small, they can show signs of starvation.
Did you know…?
Camel milk and urine are both used for medicinal purposes.
28.) The strength and docile nature of the dromedary make it desired as a domesticated animal.
29.) The dromedary has been utilized in warfare since the 6th century BC. They are particularly prized for their capability to outrun horses in the deserts.
30.) Camel milk is a staple food of nomadic tribes living in deserts. Camel milk also has higher thermal stability compared with cow’s milk, but it doesn’t compare favorably with sheep’s milk.
Now a Short Dromedary Camel Video!
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
Photo credit: Jjron
