Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Field Notes • Mammal

Camel

A camel is a large even-toed ungulate in the genus Camelus, best known for its humps and adaptation to arid environments.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Camels are large even-toed ungulates known for their humps and desert adaptations. They are domesticated livestock providing transport, milk, meat, and fibre.

What it is

Camels are desert-adapted mammals in the genus Camelus. They have long legs, broad feet, and fatty humps on their backs. Humans use them for transport and as a source of animal products.

Key details

Two living types exist: the one-humped dromedary and the two-humped Bactrian camel. Their humps store fat, not water, as an energy reserve. Camels conserve water, tolerate dehydration, and cope with heat and sparse forage.

Where they live

Dromedaries are mainly in North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of western Asia. Bactrian camels are native to colder desert and steppe regions of Central Asia, such as Mongolia and China.

In short

  • Camels have one or two humps that store fat, not water.
  • Dromedaries have one hump; Bactrians have two.
  • They are adapted to arid environments and can go long periods without water.
  • Camels provide milk, meat, fibre, and transport.
Canadian angle

Camels are of interest in Canada through zoos, wildlife education, and veterinary and agricultural study; domesticated camels are not native to Canada.

Quick questions

How long do camels live?
Camels commonly live about 40 to 50 years, though lifespan varies by species, living conditions, and whether they are wild or domesticated.
What do camels eat?
Camels are herbivores. They eat grasses, leaves, shrubs, and other desert vegetation when available.
Why do camels have humps?
Camel humps store fat, which the animal can use for energy when food is scarce. The humps are not filled with water.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camel
    Supports: General description of camels, genus Camelus, humps, domestication, and the distinction between dromedary and Bactrian camels.
  2. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance — https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/camel
    Supports: Hump function, types of camels, habitat, and median life expectancy information.
  3. Animal Diversity Web — https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Camelus_dromedarius/
    Supports: Dromedary lifespan and general biological notes.
  4. Animal Diversity Web — https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Camelus_bactrianus/
    Supports: Bactrian camel lifespan, hump function, and differences from dromedaries.
  5. Cape May County, NJ — https://capemaycountynj.gov/1103/Dromedary-Camel
    Supports: Diet, habitat range, water intake estimate, and hump as fat reserve.