They have three eyelids—one of them is clear, and comes up over the eye to protect it from sand and sand storms. Camel eyes are also protected from the sand with two rows of thick eyelashes. And they can shut their nostrils during sandstorms to protect from getting sand up their snouts. Their thick fur protects them from the sun, and their bodies have adapted to use water very efficiently. Camels are definitely not picky eaters, which is a good trait as food and water can be scarce in the desert.
Typically, camels are fed grass, grains, wheat, and oats. When food is scarce in the desert, camels can survive on dried leaves and seeds, and they will even eat leather. Camels can also eat thorny plants without getting injured, thanks to their thick lips and their 34 teeth.
Their stomachs are also divided into three compartments to help them digest this unique diet. Camels do sleep. They actually can sleep standing up, which helps keep them safe from predators. They sleep about six hours per night, and can withstand major temperature changes from the sweltering heat of the day to the cold desert nights. Wild camels roam for food at night and rest during the hot day. One of the most distinctive features about camels is the one or two humps on their backs.
A common myth is that the hump stores water—instead, the hump stores fat, which is metabolized when food is scarce. Camels played an important role in the exploration and development of Western Australia in the 19th century. By the early 20th century, however, they were being rapidly replaced with motorized vehicles. By many of the camels had been released to roam freely in the Australian outback.
The released camels thrived. They could utilize moist vegetation when available and easily move between isolated waterholes. Camels are better adapted to desert conditions that any other large mammal including burros and bighorn sheep. Australia has no predators large enough to attack and kill adult camels.
In addition, historically camels were carefully screened for disease before shipment to the island continent. In short, there was no check on camel population growth. By , the number of wild camels exceeded one million animals, easily more than all the wild camel species combined throughout the rest of the world. In that year biologists estimated that the number of camels would likely double to two million animals by with serious impacts on native vegetation, archaeological sites and competition with livestock.
All rights reserved. Common Name: Bactrian Camel. Scientific Name: Camelus bactrianus. Type: Mammals. Diet: Herbivore. Group Name: Flock, caravan. Size: Over 7 feet tall at the hump. Weight: 1, pounds. Size relative to a 6-ft man:. Critically endangered. Least Concern Extinct. Current Population Trend: Decreasing. Share Tweet Email. Go Further. Animals Climate change is shrinking many Amazonian birds.
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