One Lump or Two with Your Camel? Quiz

Answer: Bactrian

Tha Bactrian camel is native to north east Asia, while the dromedary or Arabian is found in western Asia. Altogether there are six camels classed in the camel family. The above two - the Bactrian, and the dromedary or Arabian - from Asia, are looked upon as the true camel.

The other four under the camel classification are found in South America. These four are the llama, alpaca, guanaco and vicuna. All camels are such fascinating, and rather comical looking, animals.

Answer: North America

Were you surprised as I was to read that? Fossils reveal that they did indeed evolve from North America millions of years ago and spread outwards from there to Asia and South America. It would appear that the hump was an extra evolutionary feature in the Asian camel, as the following question will reveal.

Answer: Fat

Surprise, surprise, it isn't water at all as most people believe. The fat stored in the humps of camels helps control the temperature throughout the rest of their bodies. Scientists believed this may have evolved from living in hot desert type environments. The stored fat also breaks down to provide energy for camels. The ability of the camel to go without water for long periods has more to do with the shape of their blood cells and the way they perspire, rather than any external appearance.

Answer: Nostrils

Ths nostrils of camels are so shaped that when they breathe, the greater amount of water vapour which is lost in the breathing process by other animals, is trapped inside and then returned to their bodies. This amazing animal is like a walking water recycling plant. In some climates, simply by eating greenery, this truly remarkable animal can also absorb enough moisture from the plants to go without water at all if necessary.

Answer: To reflect sunlight and help keep them insulated

Even though humanity has made use of camel's coats for any number of reasons, the physiological reason that camels have thick coats is for insulation - to reflect back the heat from the sun and the desert sands. Camels that have been shorn for their wool actually perspire fifty percent more than normal in an attempt to avoid overheating, the poor things.

Answer: To stop them sinking into the sand

Remarkable aren't they? The long legs of camels have even evolved for a perfectly logical reason. Not for elegance or speed or beauty, but to keep their bodies as far up as possible from the heat of the desert sands.

Answer: Fuel for fires

Camels are so extremely efficient at extracting moisture from their environment, both internally and externally, that their urine emerges as a semi-thick paste instead of a fluid - and their dung is so dry that it is used to light fires.

Answer: The wheel

Not only are they a means of transport, camels also provide milk, meat, wool, skins, fuel, are excellent pack animals, can travel across sandy deserts, require little water or food, and, contrary to what people read, are usually gentle and responsive to their owners. They will only respond by biting or spitting if provoked beyond all measure. Oh, and camels weren't native to North Africa - they were an introduced species to areas where the wheel was already well established.

Answer: Aphrodisiac

Camel's milk is very rich in fat and protein - more so than cow's milk in fact - and is a basic part of a nomadic diet. Additionally, yoghurt can be made from it, and, with a little extra effort, butter and cheese as well. In India, such are the sterling qualities of camel's milk, that it is also used as medicine - and in Ethiopia, well my goodness. What a truly amazing animal is the camel.

Answer: The hump

It seems sad to eat such a worthy beast, but conscience bows to necessity, and camel meat has been eaten for thousands of years, recorded as far back as ancient Persia, Greece and Rome. One Roman emperor was particularly fond of camel heel as a dish. Apart from the hump, other parts of the camel that are eaten are the brisket, ribs and loin. Today it is still eaten in various parts of the world - the Middle East, Somalia, and Kenya, just to name a few. Even in the centre semi-desert areas of Australia, into which camels were introduced from India, a form of camel lasagne is considered delicious.