Climate Change and Camels: Exploring Adaptations to Harsh Conditions

Document Type : Review Articles

Authors

1 Fac. of Agric., Cairo Univ.

2 Desert Research Center

3 Animal Production Research Institute

Abstract

Dromedary camels “ship of the desert” have physiological features that make them more tolerant to harsh environmental conditions. During heat stress, they can minimize water loss via their digestive and urinary systems, besides their ability to conserve water via rumen. Moreover, thermoregulation and blood indicators are among the factors that give camels to be superior to the other ruminant’s animals in living and producing healthy products (milk and meat) in the desert. In addition, morphological characteristics of camels, such as small heads and short hairs in the ear, enable the camels to filter air in the sandy environment. Camels have eyes with long lashes to protect the eyes from sand. Beside that, the long legs of camels are helping them to adapt to desert environments. This review discusses all these features in detail. With emphasis on the need to develop management in camel breeding that will reflect on improving camel productivity.

Keywords

Egyptian Journal of Camel Science
Volume 2, Issue 2
December 2024
Pages 63-72

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