Camels (extant/living species; Camelus spp.): Behavior & Ecology

Behavior notes

• Domestic camels are maintained in a semi-wild state.
  • Obtain food from wild vegetation, water from humans.
  • Unguarded camels will return to a familiar well.
• Wild camels extremely shy
  • Acute eyesight allows them to spot danger 2-3 miles away and flee

• Browse or graze 6-8 hours and chew cud another 6-8 hours each day.
  • Constant work required to maintain health on low-nutrient desert plant life.
• Previously, migrated seasonally to green pastures.
  • Movements now curtailed by human settlements.

Social groups

• Form small groups of ~6 (2-15 animals).
• Gather at oases and small springs.

Displays

• Rutting male stretches to hold head higher than a rival.

Vocalizations

• Rutting cry: “blo-blo-blo"

Smell and scent marking

• Male rubs back of head against shoulders (occipital gland)
• Secretions tend to excite males

Aggression

• Dromedaries may blow out (spit) cud when excited.
• Bactrian camels do not deliberately spit (may if abused).
• Little aggressive behavior except among males during breeding season.
• Adults may push with lowered head and neck.
• Canine teeth used as weapons.
• Extreme fights can result in death of both combatants.

With domestic species

• Integral part of nomad culture
  • Domesticated by nomads 3,000-4,000 years ago
  • Still important part of nomad life in the Sahara
  • Provide meat, milk, hides, wool
    • Females can produce milk for several years after birth
      • Bactrian: 5 liters/day
      • Dromedary: 20 liters/day
  • Males used for transport and riding
    • Easily carry 200 kg (440 lb)
  • Can pull more than 1 ton with a wheeled cart
  • Convex back allows camels to carry more than a horse.
    • Load is limited by the weight it can rise with.
• Used in combat
  • Used because of their ability to scare horses
    • Camel smell spooks horses
• U.S. Army camel corps stationed in California in the 1800s

• Normal gait is a “pace”
  • One foreleg and one hind leg on same side of body move forward together.
• Horses, dogs and bears can also “pace” but more often “trot” (foreleg and diagonally opposite hind leg move together).
• If necessary, can travel 150 km (93 mi) in 15-20 hours.
• Maximum speeds
  • Up to 65 km/hr (40 mi/hr) in short bursts
  • Up to 40 km/hr (25 mi/hr) sustained speed
• Domestic camels have been known to swim (observed in Australia).

A large calf nurses from its mother.

Weaning occurs at 1-2 years old. Nomadic tribes use camel milk to produce yogurt and butter.

Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.

Gauthier-Pilters & Dagg (1981)
Tulgat & Schaller (1992)
Bannikov (1976)