CAMELUS DROMEDARIUS (ARABIAN CAMEL)

CAMELUS DROMEDARIUS (ARABIAN CAMEL)

Contents hide
1) Introduction
2) Classification of Camelus Dromedarius (Arabian Camel)
3) Geographical distribution
4) Habit and habitat
5) Comments on Camelus Dromedarius (Arabian Camel)
6) Ecological Importance
7) Conservation Status of Camelus Dromedarius (Arabian Camel)
8) Special features
9) Identification
10) Interesting Facts about Camelus Dromedarius (Arabian Camel)

Introduction

The dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius), commonly known as the Arabian camel, is an iconic symbol of survival and adaptation in some of the harshest climates on Earth. Recognized by its single hump, this remarkable species has been an integral part of human history and culture, particularly in the deserts of the Middle East and North Africa. Dromedaries are built to endure extreme heat, scarce water, and arid conditions, making them indispensable to nomadic and desert-dwelling communities for centuries.

As domesticated animals, dromedaries serve multiple purposes: transportation, milk, meat, and even as a source of wool. While wild dromedaries are extinct, feral populations exist in places like Australia, making them a fascinating species of ecological and cultural significance.

Classification of Camelus Dromedarius (Arabian Camel)

  • Phylum :- Chordata (Dorsal tubular nerve cord, notochord and gill-slits present.)
  • Group :- Craniata (Definite head, Cranium with brain present.)
  • Sub phylum :- Vertebrata (Vertebral column present.)
  • Division :- Gnathostomata (Jaws and paired appendages present.)
  • Super Class :- Tetrapoda (Paired limbs, lungs, cornified skin and bony skeleton.)
  • Class :- Mammalia (Body covered with hairs. Females have mammary glands.)
  • Order :- Artiodactyl (Even-toed hoofed mammals.)
  • Family : Camelidae
  • Genus :- Camelus
  • Species : dromedarius
Classification of Camelus Dromedarius (Arabian Camel)

Geographical distribution

The dromedary camel originally inhabited the Arabian Peninsula and northern Africa. Today, it is found in the following regions:

  1. Native Range: Middle East, northern and eastern Africa, including countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Somalia.
  2. Introduced Range: Feral populations thrive in Australia, where they were introduced in the 19th century.
  3. Domestic Range: Found in parts of South Asia, including India and Pakistan, and regions of the Sahel in Africa.

Habit and habitat

Dromedary camels are desert specialists, occupying arid and semi-arid regions characterized by:

  • High Temperatures: Withstanding temperatures over 50°C (122°F).
  • Sparse Vegetation: Feeding on thorny shrubs, dry grasses, and desert plants.
  • Water Scarcity: Capable of surviving up to two weeks without water.

They are well-suited for sandy deserts, rocky plains, and open savannas. Domesticated dromedaries are typically raised in herds by pastoral communities and are used for trade and transport across deserts

Comments on Camelus Dromedarius (Arabian Camel)

  • Commonly called as Arabian camel.
  • Camels have attained highest height.
  • Body characteristic, divisible into small head, thin and long neck, humped back (trunk) chest, abdomen and tail. Generally neck and head remain is upright position.
  • Head contains eyes, small ears and slender snout containing a cleft on upper lip.
  • Hind limbs and fore limbs elongated and well developed.
  • Each foot contains two toes. Camels have characteristic leathery pads on foot which support body weight, provide nonskid surface for camels while climbing or walking on sand and also getting protection from hot sand.
  • Characterized by having one or two humps over back. Arabian camel has a single hump, while Bactrian camel has two humps.
  • Stomach is a complex organ having 4 chambers and enough space for storing water. They have efficient mechanism to utilize water and can go for 2 weeks without drinking water.
  • Avoid excessive loss of water by regulating their body temperatures.
Classification of Camelus Dromedarius (Arabian Camel)

Ecological Importance

Dromedary camels play a vital role in desert ecosystems and human livelihoods:

  1. Seed Dispersal:
    • Camels consume a wide range of plants, dispersing seeds through their feces, aiding in vegetation regeneration.
  2. Sustaining Communities:
    • They provide milk, a vital nutritional source for desert communities, and meat during times of scarcity.
  3. Habitat Maintenance:
    • Grazing by camels helps control overgrowth of desert shrubs, maintaining ecological balance.
  4. Transport Facilitators:

Camels are crucial for trade in desert regions, reducing reliance on mechanized transport and minimizing carbon footprints

Conservation Status of Camelus Dromedarius (Arabian Camel)

The dromedary camel is not at risk of extinction due to its widespread domestication. Wild populations are extinct, but feral populations in Australia are thriving, often considered a pest due to their impact on native ecosystems.

Classification of Camelus Dromedarius (Arabian Camel)

Special features

  1. Adaptation to Heat:
    • Camels can withstand body temperatures ranging from 34°C to 41°C, avoiding excessive sweating and conserving water.
  2. Water Conservation:
    • Able to drink up to 135 liters (35 gallons) of water in one go, camels store water in their bloodstream rather than in their hump.
  3. Unique Hump:
    • The hump stores fat, which can be metabolized into water and energy during scarcity.
  4. Thick Lips and Long Eyelashes:
    • Thick lips allow camels to eat thorny plants, while long eyelashes and closable nostrils protect against sandstorms.
  5. Efficient Locomotion:
    • Camels walk with a unique pacing gait, where both legs on one side move together, providing stability on sand.
  6. Milk Composition: Camel milk is rich in nutrients, low in fat, and has medicinal properties, including antidiabetic and antibacterial benefits.
  7. Camels are useful domesticated animals. Used by man in deserts. They are still used for transport, in war and in army. In deserts camels form important means of transport. The decline in population of camels is due to excessive hunting and their exclusion from pastures and water.

Evolution

The evolutionary lineage of camels dates back approximately 40 million years to ancestors that lived in North America. Over time, camels migrated to Asia and Africa via land bridges. Modern camels are classified into two species:

  1. Camelus dromedarius (Dromedary Camel): Single-humped and adapted for hot climates.
  2. Camelus bactrianus (Bactrian Camel): Double-humped and adapted for colder, rocky terrains.

The dromedary camel was domesticated around 3,000–4,000 years ago, revolutionizing trade and travel across deserts.

Identification

  • Since the animal has hump and above features, hence it is camel.

Interesting Facts about Camelus Dromedarius (Arabian Camel)

  1. A camel’s hump can weigh up to 35 kg (77 lbs).
  2. Camels can close their nostrils to keep out sand during sandstorms.
  3. They can travel up to 40 km (25 miles) a day with a load of up to 200 kg (440 lbs).
  4. Camel milk is so nutritious it can sustain a person without additional food for weeks.
  5. Camels have a split upper lip that helps them grasp thorny desert plants.
  6. Feral camels in Australia outnumber domestic ones, with populations exceeding one million.
  7. Camels can detect water sources from distances as far as 50 km.
  8. They are known as “ships of the desert” due to their ability to cross vast arid landscapes.
  9. The camel’s body temperature drops at night, conserving energy and water.
  10. Camel racing is a popular sport in Middle Eastern countries, with robotic jockeys often used in modern races.

References

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