What kind of animal is a camel? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. Camels are highly prized animals for people in Africa and the Middle East as they serve as transportation. It is suitable for deserts and dry areas, so it can be said that it is a very familiar animal to people living in desert areas.
What is a camel? About basic status
Camels are mammals, members of the order Bovidae (artiodactyls), family Camelidae, and genus Camelidae. Camelus is the scientific name, and there are dromedaries and Bactrian camels. The body length is 220 to 350 cm, and the weight is 300 to 1000 kg. Body height up to hump 190-250cm, tail length 55cm. The hair is brown.
| Japanese（和名） | ラクダ(ヒトコブラクダ、フタコブラクダ) |
| English（英名） | Camel/Bactrian camel |
| scientific name(学名) | Camelus |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、 Artiodactyla、 Camelidae、Camelus 哺乳綱、鯨偶蹄目、ラクダ科、ラクダ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | CRITICALLY ENDANGERED |
| Length（体長） | 220～350cm |
| Weight（体重） | 300～1000kg |
About classification
There are two types of camels: the dromedary and the Bactrian camel.
Camelus dromedarius
The dromedary camel is an animal that has been almost completely consumed by domestic livestock, and its scientific name is Camelus dromedarius. Distributed in countries such as Sudan and Ethiopia, males have a soft palate and have a habit of making deep pink pouches called doulas and hanging them on both sides of their mouths in an attempt to attract females. Their lifespan in captivity is approximately 25 years. The body length can grow up to 350cm.
Camelus bactrianus
Bactrian camels range from China to Mongolia and Central Asia, and the majority have been domesticated. It is characterized by two bumps, which is what makes it different from the dromedary. Body length 220-350cm. Tail length 55cm. It prefers semi-desert areas at an altitude of 1,500 to 2,000 meters and consumes water with a higher salt concentration than seawater. The average lifespan is 20 to 30 years.
About habitat
Their habitat is distributed from Asia, such as China and Mongolia, to the Middle East and Africa. Historically, they have been found in a fairly wide area in Western Asia.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
There are dromedaries and Bactrian camels. This is only the difference between having one or two aneurysms. It is suitable for deserts and dry areas and drinks about 60 to 100 liters of water at a time. You don’t have to drink water for a long time. You can replenish your body by storing water in the hump on your back. They are durable and can carry loads of around 100 kg about 30 km in a day, which has made them adaptable to human society. The fur on the body is brown and the soles of the feet are large and keratinized, making them suitable for walking on sandy surfaces. In the wild, they often travel long distances in groups and eat while eating.
What is your personality like?
Camels are characterized by their exceptional ability to adapt to given situations. Camels can live in harsh environments and get along well with humans. As you can see, they are said to have a gentle nature and are easy to get along with people.
What is the ecology like?
Camels have mostly been domesticated by humans. They are herbivorous, living off plants, insects, and cacti. According to sources, there is fat in the humps inside their bodies. Currently, they use this as energy to survive. Camel blood is also concentrated, so even if blood flow slows down, it does not become more concentrated, and it does not clot even if the temperature changes. Camels do not become sexually mature until they are six years old, making breeding difficult. They have a gestation period of 12 months, and only go into heat once a year. They have a lifespan of 30 years.
Are camels an endangered species?
All camels and dromedaries have been domesticated, so they are almost extinct in the wild. Bactrian camels are listed as an endangered species. However, a major reason for this is that the Bactrian camel was also domesticated.
Can camels be kept as pets?
Camels can be kept as pets. However, it is not easy as it is a very large animal and requires a large amount of space. It’s also very expensive. It’s a good idea for the general public to observe them at zoo events both in Japan and around the world. You can also take photos and videos after checking.
How much does it cost?
Camels eat a lot of food. I eat cactus for about 100,000 yen a month, so it costs a lot of money. Furthermore, it would cost around 5 million yen to purchase, so it is impossible to say that it is an animal that the average person can keep.
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