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Camels are hoofed animals that live in the desert. We know them because they can go without water for a long time and accumulate fat in their humps. Some people use them as livestock for milk, meat and hair. But how do they find food in harsh, hot and dry conditions? What is their diet? Let’s find out what the desert survivors known as camels eat.
What do camels eat?
Camels are members of the genus Camelus and the only living member of the Tylopoda suborder. 94 percent of the world’s camels are one-humped dromedaries, also called Arab camels. The remaining 6 percent are Bactrian Bactrian Camels. A separate species, the wild Bactrian, is endangered.
Since dromedary camels are very common, the word dromedary is used synonymously with camel. In addition, “camel” may refer to a broader meaning, including all members of the Camelidae family. These will be not only “real camels”, but also camels of the New World: alpaca, llama, alpaca, vicuña and guanaco.
Camels can not only withstand the harsh conditions that kill most other mammals, but they can also survive for months. Most mammals can survive only a few days without it, but at least a few weeks without food. Then we can understand that the camel’s physical endurance will have to compensate for the lack of water in the desert. A camel can live six to seven months without an external source of water, and this is where the fat hump appears. As it burns fat for fuel, the hump gets smaller. He can drink up to 53 gallons or 200 liters of water in three minutes if he has been deprived of water in order to make the most of the water when he can find it.
But what about his diet? The camel eats twigs, bushes, dried grass, leaves, thorns, and other plants such as salt marshes and cacti. It eats almost all parts of the plant. However, they are not strictly herbivores and, if necessary, can become omnivorous, resorting to eating carrion, bones and fish when there is little vegetation. The Bactrian or Bactrian camel is the last truly wild species living today.
At the zoo, the camel is given alfalfa pellets, fruits, vegetables, Bermuda hay, grains, salt blocks, vitamin and mineral supplements. The dromedary, the Arabian or single-humped camel has been domesticated and is found in caravans in the desert or in captivity. He has no wild counterparts, only wild ones who escaped from captivity.
How do camels find food?
In the desert, camels must have a diet of what is around them that can give them the nutrition they need. Hence, they are opportunistic gatherers who can eat even thorny plants such as goats. Their digestive system allows them to eat roughage to utilize the most abundant vegetation.
How do camels eat?
Camels are herbivores, ruminant mammals, but not true ruminants, also known as pseudo-ruminants. All ruminants have multi-chambered stomachs, which are mistakenly thought to be multi-chambered. These stomachs have different parts that are designed to feed the herbivores. Camels and all other camelids lack a fourth stomach compartment called omasum, which squeezes fluid out of food – in any case, they do not need a desert. Instead, they have glandular sacs for specialized digestive functions. They also have large mouths with leathery lips that allow them to eat thorny plants.
A complete list of foods that camels eat
Wild camels eat:
- Dried herbs
- Desert bushes
- Twigs, stems, leaves and seeds
- Date stones
- Salt bushes, cacti and other horny plants
- Carrion, bones and fish
Camels in captivity feed on:
- Alfalfa pellets
- Carrots, apples, dates and other fruits and vegetables.
- Bermuda there
- Dried herb
- Wheat, oats and other grains
- Salt blocks
- Vitamin and mineral supplements
Next: 6 birds flying at night
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What do camels eat in the desert?
Almost all parts of plants, herbs and leaves.
Do camels eat meat?
Yes, if they can’t find vegetation to eat.
Do camels eat dates?
Yes, camels eat dates as well as other fruits.
Do cacti eat camels?
Yes, we saw them eating the cactus, avoiding the thorns.
Do camels eat carrots?
Yes, they eat carrots and other vegetables.
What do camels like to eat as a treat?
In captivity, their favorite treats are alphafa pellets, wheat and oats. In the wild, they love to eat thorny plants, Aristida plumosa (desert grass) and Panicum turgidum (perennial desert bunch).
Can camels eat bananas?
Yes, they can eat bananas and most other foods as well as roughage.
What do camels avoid eating?
Poisonous plants.
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