Dromedary

Adventure step • Meet the species

Overview

The dromedary, also known as the Arabian camel, is one of the world's most remarkable mammals, perfectly adapted to life in some of Earth's most inhospitable environments. With its characteristic single-humped silhouette, this majestic desert dweller can weigh up to nearly 700 kilograms and reach a shoulder height of over two meters. Unlike its two-humped relative, the Bactrian camel, the dromedary has only one hump that functions as an energy reserve filled with fat, not water as many people believe. What makes the dromedary truly unique is its fantastic adaptations to desert life. The animal's broad, soft hooves spread its weight across the sand and prevent it from sinking. The long eyelashes and hair in the ears protect against sandstorms, while the nostrils can close completely to keep sand out. The dromedary can also raise its body temperature by up to six degrees during the day to avoid sweating, which conserves precious fluids. When it finally gets access to water, it can drink up to 135 liters in just 13 minutes! The dromedary has been humanity's companion for over 4,000 years and was originally domesticated on the Arabian Peninsula. Today there are no wild dromedaries left; all are domesticated or feral. They have played a crucial role in trade and transport throughout history, and were not without reason called the "ships of the desert." In modern times, dromedaries are still used for transport, milk and meat production, and in competitive racing, particularly in countries around the Persian Gulf. Although the dromedary is so important to millions of people in arid regions, it is unknown in Scandinavia except at zoos and in stories. But in Australia there is the world's largest population of feral dromedaries – over 300,000 individuals descended from animals imported in the 1800s to help explore the continent's interior deserts.