People have kept camels for more than 4,000 years and still depend on them for survival all over the world. SPANA helps thousands of working camels camels each year through our work in Jordan, Tunisia and India. Read on to learn some fun facts about camels and discover what makes them such unique animals!
- There are two types of camels: One humped or “dromedary” camels and two humped Bactrian camels.
- Camels have three sets of eyelids and two rows of eyelashes to keep sand out of their eyes.
- Camels have thick lips which let them forage for thorny plants other animals can’t eat.
- Camels can completely shut their nostrils during sandstorms.
- Thanks to thick pads of skin on their chest and knees, camels can comfortably sit in very hot sand.
- Their humps let them store up to 80 pounds of fat which they can live off for weeks and even months!
- When a camel finally does find water, he can drink up to 40 gallons in one go.
- Camels are very strong and can carry up to 900 pounds for 25 miles a day.
- Camels can travel at up to 40 miles per hour – the same as a racehorse!
- Don’t make a camel angry – they can spit as a way to distract whatever they think is a threat
- Mother camels carry their calves up to 14 months before giving birth.
- Some calves are born completely white and turn brown as their adult coat comes in.
- There are over 160 words for camel in Arabic alone.
SPANA believes that all camels deserve to live a life free from suffering and to be treated with compassion. Learn more about our work treating working camels in Tunisia, Jordan and India.
If you would like to help us reach even more working camels, find out how you can support our work by making a donation or getting involved with fundraising for the charity.
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