Camels and dromedaries represent different animal species, which belong to the camelid family. The main difference is in the number of humps
When we think of the desert, we immediately picture camels walking in line while carrying people and goods. But, most likely, you actually viewed a dromedary. Although they are very similar and belong to the camelid family, they are two (or three) different species. It is necessary to pay attention to the number of humps and the places where they inhabit.
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Camels and dromedaries were domesticated more than 3,000 years ago and, even today, these animals play a vital role in human societies, similar to horses, donkeys and donkeys. All are herbivores and ruminants.
In addition to transportation, these desert animals can provide wool, milk, meat, hide, and even dung — which can be used for fuel because it’s so dry — for humans. Next, check out the differences between camels and dromedaries:
What is a camel?
In fact, camels are the minority of animals that we mistakenly call “camels” and are generally adapted to colder temperatures. The two main species of this group are:
- Domestic Bactrian camel (camelus bactrianus🇧🇷 the species is found throughout central Asia;
- Wild Bactrian camel (camelus ferus🇧🇷 it is found in remote parts of Mongolia and China, such as the Gobi Desert. It is in critical danger of extinction.
Both camel species are known to have two humps (curvature on the back). The difference between them is that the wild ones have less fur and the humps are smaller than the domesticated ones.
What is a dromedary?
The dromedary (dromedary camelus), also known as the domestic camel or Arabian camel, is the most popular animal among the camelids. About 90 percent of the world’s “camels” are dromedaries, explains the San Diego Zoo in the United States in an article.
The species can be found in desert areas of North Africa, such as the Sahara Desert, and the Middle East, including, it is one of the most characteristic animals of Qatar, host country of the 2022 World Cup. wild species in Australia.
Known for having only one hump, dromedaries are also associated the MERS-CoV coronavirus — a relative of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. This is because Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) can be transmitted from the contaminated animal. At this point, care must be taken when interacting with this species.🇧🇷
What is the difference between a camel and a dromedary?
Basically, dromedaries and camels are distinguished by the regions they inhabit the globe, with the former mainly in Africa and the Middle East. Meanwhile, camels rule Asia. Another factor that distinguishes them is the number of humps: the camel has two, while the dromedary has only one.
Also, dromedaries very often have larger feet and are better adapted to warmer temperatures. Prepared for colder temperatures, the camel has a thicker coat and its wool tends to be more valuable.
What is the hump of camels and dromedaries for?
Common to both species, the hump is a strategy these animals have evolved over the course of evolution to survive times of food shortage. The structure does not store water, as some mistakenly believe, but it is rich in fat.
Basically, it works as an extra source of energy for times of trouble. “Fat stores can be converted into energy when they don’t have access to the resources they need to survive,” explains the Natural History Museum in the UK.
Furthermore, camels and dromedaries minimize the waste of water to survive in the desert, where water is often a luxury. Thus, they have thick urine and the feces are so dry that they can be used as fire starters.
Source: natural History Museum And San Diego Zoo
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Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
