Humans domesticated camels 3,000 years ago. Today, humans still depend on them for transport across arid environments. They can carry an extra 200 pounds (90 kilograms) while walking in the desert. Camels can travel as fast as horses, but can also endure legendary periods without food or water.
Humans have used camels for their wool, milk, meat, leather, and even dung (used for fuel). The one-humped dromedary camel exists today only as a domesticated animal. Ninety percent of the world’s camels are dromedaries. There are two types of two-humped Bactrian camels: wild and domesticated.
The Safari Park has two domestic Bactrian camels, Eli and Mouse, who live with the Park’s herd of Przewalski’s horses. They all get along great! A dromedary camel, Dune, serves as an animal ambassador for the Park. Camels learn to spit from other camels, but Dune was raised with a zebra, so he doesn’t spit!
