African Camel Enjoys His Stay In Zoo Morning Daily Grass

African Camel Enjoys His Stay In Zoo Morning Daily GrassShow more

Camels were domesticated more than 3,000 years ago, yet humans still depend on them for transport across arid environments. They can easily carry extra weight while walking miles a day in the desert. Camels can travel as fast as horses but can also endure legendary periods of time without food or water. Humans have used camels for their wool, milk, meat, leather, and dung, which can be used for fuel. Look for dromedary or one-humped camels in Elephant Odyssey.

Did you know? The camel’s hump is filled with fat, not water. While dromedary camels are largely domesticated and their population is stable, Bactrian camels are critically endangered in the wild.

Camels' ability to withstand extreme temperatures makes them invaluable in the desert, where temperatures soar above 122 F/ 50 C during the day and often fall below freezing at night. Some camels are used for riding, with the help of a saddle that goes over the hump. In Egypt, camel-racing is a popular sport. Camel rides are popular for tourists, too, and in many North African countries, camel safaris are a top attraction.

Other camels are used primarily as pack animals, to transport goods rather than people. In particular, camels are still used to haul massive blocks of salt from the desert in Mali, and from Djibouti's Lake Assal. However, this is a dying custom, as camels are increasingly being replaced on the salt caravans by 4x4 vehicles. In some countries, camels are even used to pull plows and carts.