Dromedary - Physical Description

Physical Description

The dromedary camel is one of the two largest living camelids, along with the Bactrian camel. Adult male dromedaries grow to a height of 1.8–2 m (5.9–6.6 ft) and females to 1.7–1.9 m (5.6–6.2 ft). The weight is usually in the range of 400–600 kg (880–1,300 lb) for males and 300–540 kg (660–1,200 lb) for females. The dromedary broadly overlaps in size with the Bactrian, though is perhaps slightly smaller on average, as male Bactrian camels regularly exceed 600 kg (1,300 lb). Very large male dromedaries, however, can weigh as much as 1,000 kg (2,200 lb).

Their coats can range from black to a much lighter colour, and hair is concentrated more on neck, hump and shoulder. Male dromedaries have a soft palate, called doula in Arabic, which they inflate to produce a deep pink sack. The palate is often mistaken as the tongue, as it hangs out of the side of the male's mouth to attract females during the mating season. Dromedaries are also noted for their thick eyelashes. The dromedary has two toes on each foot, which resemble flat, leathery pads. The hump, which can be 20 cm (7.9 in) tall or more, is made up of fat bound together by fibrous tissue. Unlike many other animals, camels move both legs on one side of the body at the same time. They can adapt their body temperature from from 34°C to 41.7°C, to conserve water. The dromedary camel exhibits sexual dimorphism, as both the sexes are much different in their appearances. They have sharp eyes and good sense of smell.

The dromedary differs from the Lama species due to its hump and a shoulder height of above 170 cm (67 in). It has smaller, round ears, almost square feet and a long, tufted tail. It has four mammary glands while the Lama species have two, and while dromedaries have three upper premolars Lama species have two. The cranium has a well-composed sagittal crest, long facial part and an indented nasal bone. They have an average lifespan of 40 years, which can be extended to 50 years under captivity.