We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Reptiles

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Dromedary?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Jun 04, 2024
Views: 11,677
Share

A Dromedary, or Arabian camel, is a species of sandy brown to caramel colored camel found in North Africa and Western Asia. It is used extensively as a beast of burden in these areas, since it is well adapted to harsh conditions and long travel.

Dromedaries have one hump, while the other type of camel, the Bactrian camel, has two. Bactrians are also slightly smaller, and more adapted to extremely cold weather. Dromedaries are also used as work or pack animals in other parts of the world, and many zoos keep them as well.

The formal name for the Dromedary is Camelus dromedarius. The camels were domesticated somewhere between 4,000 and 1,500 BCE, and are totally extinct in the wild. A feral population of Dromedary camels can be roaming Australia, but these camels are not technically wild, since they are escapees from a captive population. In addition to being a pack animal, the Dromedary has also historically been used as a source of food, and some camels are bred for racing, especially in the Middle East.

Several unique adaptations make the Dromedary camel extremely hardy and able to survive in extreme conditions. The first is the famous hump of the camel, which is actually filled with a fat reserve, not water. The camels can use the hump for nourishment during periods of starvation, and they can survive up to four days without food or water. Unlike other animals, the Dromedary can also survive extreme elevations in body temperature, which allow it to conserve water because it does not have to sweat to cool down.

The eyelashes of the Dromedary are very long, to protect the animal's eyes from wind and dust. In addition, Dromedaries can close their nostrils during dust storms so that sand and dirt do not enter their lungs. Leathery pads on their knees and stomach allow them to kneel and lie on hot sand, while their broad two toed feet act almost like snow shoes on the slippery sands of the desert.

Like most other ungulates, the Dromedary is an herbivore, with leathery lips adapted to eating thorny branches and other hostile plants. The gestation period for the animals is a little over one year, and the young camels live with the mothers for approximately a year before becoming fully independent. The unique strengths of the Dromedary have made it an important cultural and economic addition to many societies, and the camels continue to be extensively used throughout North Africa and the Middle East. Contrary to popular belief, the Dromedary is actually a very amiable and willing animal, and it will not spit at humans to express hostility, although the camels will spit at each other during conflicts over food.

Share
All Things Nature is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a All Things Nature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.allthingsnature.org/what-is-a-dromedary.htm
Copy this link
All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.