THE STARS
JAC has both types of camel -
the one humped Dromedary and the two humped Bactrian.The camelid
family came into existence in North America during the Upper Eocene
Age, millions of years ago. They were the size of a hare. Much later after the
species developed they crossed the Bering Straits. The wild camel
found in the Gobi desert is the origin of all domestic camels. At
some point the Dromedary lost the second hump although the Dromedary
embryo still has two tiny nodules indicating both humps ! Bactrian
camels are found in the Gobi, Mongolia, Northern China, countries
ending in 'stan', Russia and India. Dromedaries are found in Africa,
the Middle East, India and Australia. The Afghans brought
Dromedaries to Australia in the 1870s to help build the railways.
There is now a large feral population in the outback.
Camels survive well in extreme desert
climates where there are very high and very low
temperatures. They can last 10 days without water and when they
refill they can drink 25 gallons in 10 minutes. Despite being
called a horse designed by a committee they have evolved very
effectively. Long eyelashes, bushy eyebrows, an extra eyelid,
small furry ears and slitty
nostrils all help protect them in sandstorms.
They are born without humps. The hump
is a store of fat which grows as they do and is there
as an emergency food store. Floppy humps are a sign of ill health
or incorrect nutrition. Camels are amazing creatures and here are
ours.
