Camels are large mammals easily recognized by their distinctive humps.

There are three species of camels: the single-humped dromedary camel, which accounts for 90% of the global camel population, and the two-humped Bactrian and wild Bactrian camels.

Wild Bactrian camels are critically endangered, with fewer than 1,000 individuals remaining. Domesticated Bactrian camels are primarily found in Central Asia, while dromedary camels live in the Middle East and central Australia, where they were introduced. Wild Bactrian camels inhabit remote regions of China and Mongolia.

1. Three Camel Species

Camels fall into three categories: dromedaries (single-humped), Bactrian camels (two-humped), and wild Bactrian camels. The wild Bactrian is the only truly wild species, found in a few isolated areas. Camels are tall animals, with dromedaries standing around six feet and Bactrians about seven feet high.

2. Humps for Energy Storage

The humps of camels serve as reserves for energy, helping them survive long stretches without food. By storing energy in one location, camels keep their bodies lightweight and better suited for the desert’s intense heat.

3. Desert Adaptations

Camels are perfectly designed for desert life. They have three eyelids, two rows of long lashes, and nostrils that can close to block sand and dust. Their thick lips let them eat thorny plants, and padded knees and wide feet help them rest on or walk across hot sand without discomfort.

4. Camels Hydrate Quickly

Camels are masters of water conservation. While their humps don’t store water, these animals rely on efficient body temperature regulation (heterothermy) to minimize sweating during the day. When they find water, camels rehydrate rapidly, drinking up to 26 gallons in just 10 minutes.

5. Camels Are Social Creatures

Camels are highly social and travel in herds, often consisting of up to 30 individuals led by a dominant male. Except for males competing for dominance during breeding, camels are generally calm and non-aggressive. In addition to traveling together, camels communicate using vocalizations such as moans and bellows. Baby camels remain with their mothers for 3–5 years, even helping care for younger offspring after reaching maturity.

6. Camels Provide Nourishment

For thousands of years, camels have been essential to human survival, offering both meat and milk. Camel milk is rich in nutrients, including vitamin C, sodium, and potassium, and has lower cholesterol compared to other livestock. It’s also more similar to human milk than cow milk. In desert regions, camel meat is a vital source of protein.

7. Camels Are Built to Carry Heavy Loads

Camels are remarkably strong and reliable for transport in harsh conditions. Bactrian camels can carry up to 440 pounds in a single day, while dromedaries manage about 220 pounds. With only a rider, a camel can cover 62 miles in a day at a pace of 6–7 miles per hour.

8. Camels Sleep Uniquely

Camels have a distinctive sleep pattern compared to other large mammals. Although they rest for 6 to 7 hours, they sleep for only about 1.7 hours in total, divided between REM and non-REM sleep. The rest of the time is spent in a drowsy state, ruminating, or staying alert. This ability to switch between these states helps them remain vigilant in their environment. Camels can sleep while standing or lying down, making their rest adaptable to various situations.

9. The Wild Bactrian Camel Faces Extinction

There are fewer than 1,000 wild Bactrian camels left, and their numbers are expected to decline by up to 80% in the next 45 to 50 years. Threats to their survival include habitat loss due to industrial development, subsistence hunting, competition with domestic camels for resources, and predation by wolves.

A Camel's Love Sac | 4K UHD | Mammals | BBC Earth

Video by BBC Earth