How did the camel get his hump? Well that’s easy. You see, camels are perfectly adapted to dry, arid conditions and their humps are simply fat deposits that the camel is able to draw on when no food and drink is available. Dromedary camels have 1 hump, whereas our Bactrian camels at Blair Drummond have two!
Another clever design feature of the camel is its broad foot pads, which provide stability in the desert sand. They also have long eyelashes and ears lined with hair to prevent sand from blowing in, and they can close their nostrils to keep the sand out in dust storms.
Scientific name:
Camelus bactrianus
Family:
Camelidae
Order:
Artiodactyla
Lifespan:
40 to 50 years
Fast facts:
They can drink 135 litres in 13 minutes.
A group of camels is called a flock or caravan.
Conservation status:
Critically endangered