A camel is an even-toed ungulate within the genus Camelus, bearing distinctive fatty deposits known as humps on its back. The two surviving species of camel are the dromedary, or one-humped camels, which are native to the Middle East and the Horn of Africa; and Bactrian, or two-humped camels, which inhabit Central Asia. Both species have been domesticated; they provide milk, meat, hair for textiles or goods such as felted pouches, and are working animals.
Read more about Camel: Etymology, Biology, Domestication, Distribution and Numbers
Famous quotes containing the word camel:
“Ask a wise man to dinner and he’ll upset everyone by his gloomy silence or tiresome questions. Invite him to a dance and you’ll have a camel prancing about. Haul him off to a public entertainment and his face will be enough to spoil the people’s entertainment.”
—Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1466–1536)
“a camel comes handy
Wherever it’s sandy—
Anywhere does for me.”
—Charles Edward Carryl (1841–1920)
“Alas, alas for Hamelin!
There came into many a burgher’s pate
A text which says that Heaven’s Gate
Opes to the rich at as easy rate
As the needle’s eye takes a camel in!”
—Robert Browning (1812–1889)