Camel: the misunderstood creature

The camel has been used since ancient times for transportation and life. These unique animals can survive harsh conditions due to their ability to adapt to the desert lifestyle. They have adapted to these extreme environmental conditions over thousands of years, evolving into a perfect example of nature's masterpieces! The camel is a mammal that belongs to the family of camels, which are known to have originated from Africa. Camel milk has a long history of human consumption, dating back to its domestication over 5,000 years ago. Today, camel milk is still consumed across the world and is regarded as a healthy beverage.

1. Camel milk is a complete food. It contains no cholesterol, saturated fat, or anything else that would make you sick. It’s high in protein (9%) and calcium (22%). There are 10 grams of carbohydrates per cup. It has vitamins A, B12, C & E, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, niacin, folic acid, biotin, iron, zinc, copper, iodine & magnesium. It is low in sodium and has only 1 gram of fat. It is also extremely rich in lactose.

2. Camels produce more than twice as much milk as cows do, but they can go without eating for days at a time. They have been known to survive on just water and salt!

3. In fact, camels are vegetarians; they eat grasses and herbs. They don't drink any water. Like other herbivores, their stomachs contain bacteria that break down cellulose into sugars. Their digestive system is actually quite similar to ours.

4. Camels are called “ships of the desert” because of how well-suited they are for traveling long distances over harsh terrain. They can travel hundreds of miles across dunes, sandstorms, and deserts. If they need a rest, they simply lie down; their body heat keeps them warm enough to sleep through the night.

5. When we think about camels, we usually envision them in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, or Australia. But camels live throughout the world. Today, they are domesticated in many countries including India, Pakistan, China, Iran, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, Russia, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Algeria, Tunisia, Nigeria, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho, Malawi, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone, Liberia, DRC, Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Southern Sudan, and even Madagascar.

6. Some people believe that camels were the first animals to ever walk upright.

7. Camels can live in extreme temperatures ranging from -40 degrees Fahrenheit (F) to 122 F. However, they don't sweat, nor do they pant. Instead, camels cool themselves off by blowing air through their nostrils.

8. The average lifespan of a female camel is 25 years, while males can live up to 40 years.

9. Camels are not domesticated animals like cows, horses, dogs, cats, pigs, sheep, goats, etc., but wild camels were first domesticated about 5,000 years ago in what is now Iraq.

10. Camels originated in Africa and Asia. They moved south along the east coast of Africa and eventually reached South America, where they flourished. When the Spanish arrived in Central and South America, they brought camels back to Spain. In 1580, Queen Elizabeth I sent a shipful of camels to her court in England.