Kerala, India
The Camelidae family is a comparatively small family of mammalian animals. There are two members of Old World camels living in Africa and Asia–the Arabian and the Bactrian. There are four members of the New World camels of South America–llamas, vicunas, alpacas and guanacos. They are all very well adapted to their respective environments.
Most of these species have been integrated into and play very important roles in lives of the indigenous people. They have been traditionally used for transport of people and goods, to supply hides and fibers for clothing and other textile articles, and for meat and milk products. The animals have been used and bred for several thousand years, but efforts to understand their biology and diseases in greater depth have been undertaken only fairly recently.
Because camels are still such important animals in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, there has been increasing interest and need to understand their nutrition and health care needs, reproduction, behavior, physiology, diseases, veterinary care and responses to new climates.
Types of Camels
Camels are large-hooved mammals living in the desert regions of North Africa, Middle East and Asia. There are two types of camels in existence today: the Dromedary or Arabian camel and the Bactrian camel.
Dromedary (Arabian) Camel
The Dromedary or Arabian camel has one hump on its back. The hump rises to about twelve inches above the back, and the camel can stand about seven feet tall at the shoulders. Arabian camels are found from Northwest India and the lowlands of Afghanistan to the Arabian Peninsula and Somalia to the South and Westward African deserts.
There are approximately 25,000 wild camels that still remain since their introduction in 1840 to 1907. Arabian camels survive in the desert due to their unique structure and qualities:
- Ability to bite off and eat thorny plants that exist in the desert
- Thick callouses on their knees and chest
- Thick sole pads that allow them to cope with hot sand
- Eyes covered by long eyelashes for protection
The Arabian camel can travel as far as 100 miles a day and is usually used as a saddle animal.
Bactrian Camel
The Bactrian camel has two humps on its back and is about five feet tall to the shoulders, usually with a heavier body build. The rocky and cooler regions are better suited for the Bactrian camel due to its smaller, heavier build. The feet are split and its hair is finer and longer.
Central Asia and Mongolia are the central areas of the Bactrian camels, and there are fewer than 1,000 Bactrian camels remaining in the wild. The continuing existence of the Bactrian camel is remarkable since it has to endure extreme climate changes, from temperatures of 140 degrees Fahrenheit in summer to Arctic cold in winter.
The Bactrian camel can carry as much as 1,000 pounds and travel about 29 miles a day.
Adaptations and Uses
Survival Adaptations
The humps on a camel’s back store fat and flesh that is absorbed as nutrition when food is not available. The camel is known for being able to go without water for several days at a time. These camels have existed since ancient times and have evolved remarkable adaptations to survive in harsh desert environments.
Economic Value
The camel’s strength is very remarkable and makes it a very valuable animal:
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Transport: Used for carrying heavy loads and as saddle animals
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Leather: Camel hide is used for durable leather products
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Food: Milk and fat are important food sources
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Fiber: After their hair is shed, it can be used for paintbrushes, warm clothes, and ropes
Camelidae Family Evolution and Taxonomy
Evolution
The Camelidae evolved in North America. Their ancestors migrated from North America across the Alaskan land bridge to Asia and down across Panama into South America. They eventually became extinct in North America, but adapted well and evolved to their current forms. At one time the camels ranged from Asia to Eastern Europe. After crossing into Africa, they were found across the northern area and as far south as northern Tanzania.
Taxonomy
Camels are in the taxonomic order Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates), sub-order Tylopoda (pad-footed), and Family Camelidae. They are ruminants along with the giraffes, deer, cattle, sheep, goats and antelopes.
They have several unique features:
- Walk on pads, not hoofs
- Do not have horns or antlers
- Oval-shaped red blood cells
- Very high red blood cell counts
- Great water efficiency
- Long necks
- Two toes with webbing connecting them
- Well-padded feet
New World Camels
The New World camels include two wild species in the high Andes of South America:
- Vicuna (Lama vicugna)
- Guanaco (Lama guanacoe)
The native people of the Andes domesticated two species:
- Llama (Lama glama)
- Alpaca (Lama pacos)
There seems to be some controversy over the parent species of the alpaca and llama. The evidence suggests that both domestic species were derived from the guanaco. They all have long necks, but no humps. They do have the ability to survive in harsh dry climates due to their ability to conserve body water.
At Yembroos Animal Feeds India Private Limited, we understand the unique nutritional requirements of various ruminant species, including camels and camelids. Our research-based approach to animal nutrition helps optimize health and productivity across diverse species and environmental conditions. Contact us to learn more about specialized feeding programs for your animals.
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