Dubbo Western Plains Zoo

Arabian Camel

Camelus dromedarius

Camels are well suited to life in the desert. By producing dry faeces and very little urine or sweat, they can survive for a long time without water.

Camels were introduced to Australian in the 1840s to carry heavy loads and passengers ino the dry heart of the country.

Many survived and are now in higher numbers in the Australian desert than in the wilds of Arabia. There are no known wild Arabian Camels left.

When good food is available camels store fat in their hump. When food is scarce, they use this as their enegry supply. They will also eat thorns, dry vegetation and saltbush that other animals avoid.

Fortunately for the little black and white extra in this photo, it seems small birds are not on the camel's menu!

Photographs by Justin Sullivan. Some text courtesy of Dubbo Western Plains Zoo

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