Camel – Packed and Ready to Go
Camels are large mammals known for their humps. They belong to the same family as the llama and the alpaca.
These animals weigh up to about 650 kilograms and are about 2 meters tall at the hump. A camel changes the extra food and water into fat and keeps it safe in its hump. When full, the humps are plump and erect. If the animal has not eaten for a period of time, the humps begin to shrink and sag to one side. Long eyelashes protect the eyes from sandstorms and glaring sun. The nostrils can close to keep out blowing sand.
Camels eat thorny plants, shrubs, and dried grasses.
The Bactrian camel, which lives mostly in Central Asian countries, has two humps. It is the largest species. These animals are named for the Baktria region of ancient Persia and can withstand severe cold as well as extreme heat.
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