Dromedary
Camelus dromedarius
Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.
The dromedary is the one-humped domestic camel. Fat stored in its hump provides an energy reserve when food becomes scarce.
At a glance
- Location
- Dry regions of northern Africa and southwestern Asia, with introduced populations elsewhere.
- Habitat
- Desert, Grassland
- Diet
- Herbivore
- Food
- Desert shrubs, dry grasses and other vegetation.
Classification
- Common name
- Dromedary
- Browse group
- Mammals
- Scientific name or taxon
- Camelus dromedarius
- Taxon rank
- species
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Camelidae
- Genus
- Camelus
- Source classification
- Mammalia
Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.
Three things to know
- Its hump stores fat.
- Thick lips help it eat thorny plants.
- Dromedaries ruminate after feeding.
Habitat and range
Dry regions of northern Africa and southwestern Asia, with introduced populations elsewhere.
Appearance and adaptations
Thick lips help it browse coarse, thorny plants. A long neck and a single fat-filled hump give it a distinctive outline.
Diet and behaviour
It browses across wide areas and ruminates after feeding. Family groups usually include a male, females and young.
Sources
- Animal Diversity Web: Camelus dromedarius
- GBIF: Dromedary · Directory entry
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