Camels have lived in some of the most desolate corners of our planet, and not only do they live, they thrive. A camel can travel long distances which allow them to take advantage of the maximum number of resources. They can withstand a massive amount of dehydration which allow them to survive not only between watering holes, but sometimes between seasons. When at a watering hole camels are able to gorge themselves and rehydrate quickly. For food, camels are omnivorous. They can eat almost anything be it vegetation, meat, or bone,-- salty or sweet, a camels stomach knows no limits.

 At the beginning of the 18th century, nomadic Bedouins still made up a large percentage of the total Arab population.  However, since then, their numbers have sharply declined, starting with the introduction of new Ottoman land laws in the mid 18th century that abolished the communal ownership of land, which is a basic ingredient of nomadic life.  In modern times, contemporary governments with their need for taxation, conscription, and political control of their populations, have systematically restricted the movements and power of Bedouins since the early 1900s. And finally, the oil boom and rapid modernization with its economic implications have all accelerated their decline.  In the 1960s, nomadic Bedouins represented 10 percent of the total Arab population. By the late twentieth century, they represented only an average of 1 percent. For better or worse, their nomadic way of life will soon be a matter of historical interest rather than survival.

Arabian Camel. Facts.  This is an Arabian camel.  This camel lives in the Arabian Peninsula.  Perhaps nowhere else on earth is more associated with the camel than the Arabian Peninsula. Their story is not one of a free population; however, but of a domesticated animal. Throughout history, Arabian camels have served the needs of humans, and have benefited from that service as a species. Humans have in fact assured the survival of camels for thousands of years and quite literally led them to success as a species that they probably would never have had on their own. The camel has played such an important role in Arab culture that there are over 160 words for "camel" in the Arabic language. The geography and climate have combined to define an entire culture with the camel at its core. This certainly must be seen as high praise of this remarkable animal.

 You can easily remember their names if you will imagine a capital letter "D" lying on its side on the back of a dromedary camel forming a single hump, or imagine the capital letter "B" on its side on the back of a Bactrian camel forming the double hump. About 90% of the camels in the world today are dromedaries. While the term dromedary is used throughout the world to describe the species in general, the word originally comes from the Greek "dromos" which means road, and is technically referring to the racing or riding dromedaries. True riding dromedaries can travel 80 to 120 mi. ( to km) per day carrying a rider. Their cousin dromedaries (called baggage camels) have a heavier build and are capable of carrying as much as 992 lbs. (450 kg), but usually only carries about 441 lbs. (200 kg) loads. A baggage camel can travel up to 40 mi. (64.37 km) per day, a caravan will usually average only about 12 mi. (19.3 km) per day, depending on how fresh the animals are at the start, and how long the trip is expected to be. They travel at about 2 mph (3.25 kmph) fully loaded, and 2 1/2 mph (4 kmph) unloaded. Camels prefer to walk, particularly when it's hot; but when speed is required, they either gallup or pace. The pace is a medium-speed movement which uses both legs on one side at a time, this produces a swaying or rocking motion and can make riders "seasick." This swaying motion is actually where the camel gets its moniker of "ship of the desert." [[

A Camel’s Face. Notes.  This is a camel’s face.  This is zoomed in.

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