I’m a Camel
I live in the punishing heat of the desert

I have adapted to live in such harsh conditions and I can survive without water for days and even weeks though I do find every opportunity to drink water if I’m fortunate to find a water source.



I can drink large amounts of water in one sitting and store it for later when I need it.



Camels have a unique physiology that allow them to survive even when they find themselves in extreme conditions without available water.



They can store water in their hump for long periods and are built for withstanding the heat, the sun, the wind and the sand even in the tumultuous conditions of sand storms.



Camels are work animals trekking through the desert on various journeys lasting for days and sometimes weeks at a time carrying passengers on their back along with their belongings.



If the journey is for a few days camels can walk up to 60 miles in a day and if the journey is for weeks they can walk up to 25 miles in a day traveling at speeds of up to 6 miles per hour in the winter and 3 miles per hour in the summer.



Camels at optimum speed can travel at 25 miles per hour which seems beyond capability.



This proves how strong and efficient camels are in their daily lives under such harsh and extreme conditions.



Camels have tremendous stamina and can walk up to 12 hours in a day but they must be carefully watched over especially in the hot summer months as they travel in caravans or in small groups.



Camels are like horses and donkeys with a wonderful disposition and a tremendous work ethic.



Camels are very social animals and normally travel in herds on their numerous journeys through different types of terrain in caravans.



As camels travel throughout the day they need to rest and when the opportunity arises they will kneel down on folded legs to catch a much needed sleep for several hours.



Camels are gentle, docile, affectionate and friendly animals that form attachments and bonds with their circle and they are amazingly beautiful, intelligent and have great endurance in their ability to travel long distances under such harsh conditions.



They are built especially for the desert and are very reliable and dependable animals.



Camels have one or two humps. The one humped camel (dromedary) is native to North Africa and the Middle East while the two humped camel (Bactrian) is native to the Gobi Desert in China and Mongolia.



Some dromedary camels can be found in Australia in the outback though they are not native to the country.



There are three species of camels in the world but the most common is the one humped dromedary representing 90% of the entire camel population.



The wild bactrian camel is endangered with fewer than a thousand and is the 8th most endangered class of animal on the planet.



They are threatened by hunters and habitat loss due to climate change and global warming.



If they are not protected we will likely lose them.



Conservation efforts are needed to protect the wild camels and their habitats otherwise extinction is inevitable.



The existence of camels originated in North America and they can be traced as far back as 45 million years ago during the Eocene epoch.



Over time many species of camels have gone extinct.



We depend on these wonderful and beautiful animals and we are responsible for their continued existence and protection.



The US Army had once developed a Camel Corp and deployed them with trained riders but the project was abandoned as the Civil War began and the camels were then sold at auction.



Horses were the animals of choice and sadly many were killed at war including the civil war during military operations.



Camels serve many purposes and also provide milk that is provided by farmers who tend to these animals and care for them and sell their products including milk at market.



Camels have a life expectancy of up to 50 years and are between 7 to 12 feet in length and 5 to 7 feet tall weighing between 900 and 1,300 pounds depending on species.



Baby camels are calves and their mothers nurse them.



They are able to stand and walk within an hour of birth and join with the herd two weeks after birth and are completely dependent on their mother.



It is truly amazing how quick the baby camel gets on its feet similar to a horse.



Camels are considered very popular and many want to experience life with them so there are popular treks that attract visitors from all over the world in their natural habitats where you can actually experience a camel ride in the desert.



You can also visit these remarkable animals at international zoos around the world to get a glimpse of them in captivity.



There are animal rights activists who have sounded the alarm and rally for these fascinating animals and work to assure that they are not abused as they journey through the desert in caravans transporting people and supplies.



It is truly special to be one with the camel like it is to be one with the horse or one with the pony.



If you’re lucky enough to experience a ride such as that treasure it for a lifetime.



It is truly special.



I travel the desert in a herd transporting passengers to their destinations safely.



I’m a camel.