Description
The dromedary camel is characterized by a long-curved neck, deep-narrow
chest, and a single hump. Hair length is longer on the throat, shoulder, and
hump. The size of the hump varies with the nutritional status of the camel,
becoming smaller to non-existent during times of starvation.
Average Statistics
Lifespan 40-50 yrs
Geographic Range Africa, the Middle East, & Africa.
Diet
The dromedary camel is a herbivore, eating primarily thorny plants and dry
grasses.
Social Habbits
Dromedaries usually form groups of 2-20 individuals. The group, or family,
consists of one male, and one to several females, subadults, and young. The
male is the dominant member of the family group and directs the family from
the rear while the females take turns leading. Dromedaries tend to travel by
walking single file.
Offspring
Camels typically have 1 offspring at a time, after a gestation period of 15
months. Young are raised for a period of 2 years, before reaching adulthood.
Camels reach secual maturity and begin mating at approximately 4-5 years of
age.
Relationship with Humans
The dromedary camel is used as a beast of burden by humans and also
provides humans with milk, meat, wool, leather, and fuel from dried manure.
Through these services, the dromedary camel has enabled humans to inhabit
the seemingly inhabitable desert.
