Dromedary

Dromedary

The dromedary camel (/ˈdrɑmədɛɹi/ or /ˈdrɒmədri/) or Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius) is a large, even-toed ungulate with one hump on its back. First described by Aristotle of Stagira, dromedary was given its binomial name by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. The dromedary is the second largest member of the camel family after the Bactrian camel. The oldest known ancestor of the dromedary is the Protylopus. Males are 1.8–2 m (5.9–6.6 ft) tall and females 1.7–1.9 m (5.6–6.2 ft) tall. Males range from 400–600 kg (880–1,300 lb), while females weigh 300–540 kg (660–1,200 lb). Pelage varies largely in colour, from a dark black to a much lighter shade. The notable hump, measuring 20 cm (7.9 in), is fat bound together by fibrous tissue.

Its diet includes foliage and desert vegetation, like thorny plants, and eats Acacia, Artiplex and Salsola species whenever available. The camels are active in the day, and rest together in groups. Led by a dominant male, each herd consists of about 20 individuals. Some males form bachelor groups. Dromedaries show no signs of territoriality, as herds often merge during calamities. Predators in the wild include wolves, lions and tigers. Dromedaries use a wide set of vocalizations to communicate with each other. They have various adaptations to help them exist in their desert habitat. Dromedaries have long eyelashes and the unique ability of closing their nostrils to face sandstorms. They can fluctuate their body temperature to avoid excess perspiration and have specialized kidneys, which make them able to tolerate even more than 30% water loss. Mating may occur in winter, but is peak in the rainy season. One calf is born after the gestational period of 15 months.

Its native range is unclear, but it was probably domesticated in the Arabian Peninsula about 4000 years ago. The domesticated form occurs widely in North Africa, South Asia and the Middle East. Today there are almost 13 million domesticated dromedaries. The dromedaries are beneficial as beasts of burden, and their docility and toughness compared to cattle are additional advantages. The hair is an excellent source material for woven goods.