Dromedary

Camel or dromedary?

The camel has two bumps whereas the dromedary has only one of them but some consider that camel and dromedary are less distinct species than geographical varieties since in the Fœtus, the dromedary presents two bumps. During the Gestation of chamelle, the two bumps are based in a bump little before the birth. Moreover, there exists a Hybride between the two species called the " Turkoman " who presents a slightly subdivided bump.

History

The ancestor of the Camelus appeared 50 million years ago. There are 2 to 3 million years the ancestor of the dromedary would have penetrated in Africa. The dromedaries existed already in the Corne of Africa during the Préhistoire, one found teeth in Ethiopia and paintings in Somalia and with Djibouti. The relation between the man and the dromedary goes back to

Use

Nowadays, the dromedary is the animal of the Désert S heats of Africa, of the Proche and the the Middle East. It is also celebrated by the Coran. It was also used with fine soldiers for the warlike loads in the battle or for the transport of troops and materials.

The dromedary renders multiple services to the man since thousands of years and in particular to the Nomade S which exploit it for its productions of work, of Cuir, Lait and of Viande. While transporting the material, it makes it possible the man to be saved and last in the desert mediums.

There exist specific species according to the use. The Méhari are appreciated as dromedary of goes up.

In certain country, races of dromedaries take place, the great champions of this sport are for the moment Samir Aalouane and Adrien Charrier

The dromedary, a “desert vessel”

A particular anatomy

The Skeleton of the Cranium, comparable with that of the Horse from its size, presents an extremely prominent occipital peak, to which is attached powerful a cervical Ligament likely to support such a heavy head on such a long neck.

The sine are full and deep and proceed, so of the adaptability of the dromedary to the desert life. Indeed, the dromedary presents a sinusal bag plugs side which is observed at no other species. Such a Anatomie makes it possible the dromedary to recover a big part of water at the time of the Expiration by the nasal ways. Those are in addition connected outside by naseaux being able to close itself completely, thus avoiding a draining of the nasal mucous membrane and thus the maintenance of a wet atmosphere in the favourable higher respiratory tracts to limit the hydrous losses.

The osseous part of the Velum is narrow, which facilitates the externalization of its soft part in the male in period of Rut. The lower maxilla, long, presents a central constriction marked, which weakens it and led to frequent fractures at the time of the occasional combat between males.

Like the near total of the Mammalian and in spite length of its neck, the dromedary has 7 cervical vertebrae. For the remainder, it is distinguished only little from the other domestic herbivores. The thorny apophyses of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, although supporting the bump, are not longer for all that. The bones of the members are long, translating the distance of the body (thorax and abdomen) of the ground when the animal is held upright.

Like the majority of the mammals, the dromedary has a temporary Denture (baby teeth) and permanent teeth. The dental formula of the first includes/understands 22 teeth. In the adult animal, the permanent dental formula includes/understands 34 teeth on the whole and grows rich by the molar presence of . It is the observation aid which the nomads have to determine the age of the animal. The wear of the teeth can be fast because of the conditions environmental and food (role Abrasif of the Sable) and thus the longevity of the dromedary is some reduced. Although it can reach the worthy age (for a herbivore) 40 years, it is not very frequent to observe animals of more than 20 years because of failure of teeth.

The lymphatic Système is characterized by a low number of ganglia and unusual sites such as the external thoracic ganglion or the lower cervical ganglion. The Glands sudoripares, very few, are scattered on the whole of the body and take part, from their relative scarcity, with the limitation of the hydrous losses by perspiration. The occipital glands are probably modified glands sudoripares, located on the occipital part, with the back of the head. They emit a liquid rich in steroids and recognizable with its odor. They are particularly active at the male at the time of the period of the rut and play a part still rather badly known in the sexual behavior.

The jugular vein is broad and easily visible close to the head, in the distal part of the neck, place privileged for the taking away of blood. The nomads take some thus up to 7 liters which they drink fresh or with milk, but this practice is prohibited by the Islam. Blood volume (volemy) in the dromedary is of 93 ml per kg of body weight, that is to say a value higher than that observed at the majority of the others domestic species. Other shares, the water loss is accompanied at many animals an increase the Viscosité the blood, which is translated in its turn by an increase in the temperature. In the dromedary, blood remains fluid when it is dehydrated and, consequently, its temperature increases less quickly.

The Peau, contrary to the others Herbivores, is not very mobile what disadvantage considerably the species in the zones with strong densities of insects stitchers or simply wheels, more especially as the animal is provided with a short tail, ineffective to drive out the importunate ones. Moreover, the skin is thick, especially on the back, and thus less likely to be injured by harnesses or an aggressive vegetation. At the zones of contact with the ground at the time when the animal puts itself in baraquée position, it is covered with a cutaneous fabric horn, thick, of dark color. These bearings are located preferentially on the members, but most important is the bearing sternal, which makes it possible the animal to be posed on the Sternum and to ensure a certain “plate” of all the body when the animal is in Décubitus sternal.

One of the anatomical elements which clearly distinguishes the dromedary from the others Ruminants is the nature of the foot. Deprived of shoes, which arranges it in the group of the Digitigrade S and not of the onguligrades, the dromedary has a broad and elastic foot, adapted well to walk on sandy grounds. One easily compares it with a tire whose tire tube is replaced by a fat Tissu which gives to the unit a remarkable flexibility.

The bump is only one fat, white fabric and of consistency soft, likely to vary in volume under the terms of the nutritional state of the animal.

A general physiology entirely turned towards the adaptation to the desert

The majority of the mammals living in the arid zones compel effect of heat and dryness while hiding in the ground during the hot hours. It is quite obvious that an animal of the size of the dromedary could not satisfy such a requirement. Also, our animal it developed other arguments to adapt to the conditions which are them his.

Adaptation to heat

The bump of the dromedary, contrary to a tough legend among neophytes, is not a water reserve, but of energy. The bump is a cluster of grease blanchâtre which can exceed 100 kg for an animal in full form and nourished well. This localized accumulation avoids the dissemination of the fat in subcutaneous area in the other parts of the body. Its presence on the back of the animal also ensures to him a role in the Thermorégulation. The animal cools better because it is less fatty. It is the only animal with being able to transform grease into water by physiological reactions of oxidation (up to 40 liters for a fine shape animal). Indeed, the concentration of the fat reserves limits their distribution under the skin and thus facilitates the cutaneous dissipation of heat. Dromedary with capacity to vary its temperature internal according to heat external, which authorizes to consider that our animal is not strict a Homéotherme, following the example mammals passing part of their existence in hibernation. When the room temperature decrease, in particular during the night, the internal temperature of the dromedary can go down to 34°C. During the hottest hours, the rectal temperature can reach 42°C without one being able to speak about fever. Such variations in body temperature are mortals for the majority of the mammals. It was measured for example that an increase in 6°C of the body temperature in a dromedary weighing approximately 600 kg enabled him to save 5 liters of water. In hot season, it can do without drinking during 2 to 3 weeks and in fresh season during 4 to 5 weeks. After one long period of deprivation the dromedary is capable of ingurgiter 200 liters of water in 3 minutes. It is the only mammal able to drink as much water in if little time. Indeed, in the other animals, the absorption of a too great quantity of water involves the bursting of the red Globules, therefore death.

The general morphology and the behavior of the dromedary sign also its adaptation to heat: long members, bearing sternal maintaining the abdomen slightly above the ground, positioning vis-a-vis the sun in order to exposing the lowest possible surface to the maximum solar radiation, preferential chattering in the shade of woody fodder during the hot hours, general reduction in the Metabolism at the time of strong heats, wraps variable between the white and the deer, fleece falling from itself in summer, skin thick, protective, glands sudoripares very few.

Adaptation to the dryness

The adaptation mechanisms with heat implemented a whole of physiological procedures which contribute to save water. But it is in the extreme situations, in particular at the time of Déshydratation S thorough that the dromedary shows its exceptional qualities. The animal is then able to save body water by mechanisms of reduction of the hydrous losses (reduction in the diuresis, stop of sudation, reduction in the basal metabolism, variation in the body temperature) while maintaining a vital Homéostasie for its survival, at the same time by limiting the variation of the concentration of the vital parameters and by ensuring a maximum excretion of metabolic waste. This one is allowed by the emission of a very concentrated Urine. However, the excretion of the elements of which elimination requires great quantities of water (glucose, urea in particular) is controlled in a rigorous way. These adaptation mechanisms which make the reputation of the dromedary also explain why it is about one of the rare domestic species which did not leave its surface of origin.

Adaptation to malnutrition

The desert medium is also characterized by the weakness of the food resources, their great dispersion and a strong temporal variability. The dromedary has a better capacity to digest poor fodder than the domestic ruminants. This superiority is explained by a greater retention of the solid particles in the pre-stomachs, resulting in a time of longer contact of food with the micro-organisms which digest them. It very badly supports the excess of food and 4 to 5 kg of Acacia per day are enough for him in period to Disette.

At all the species of mammals, the Lipides of reserve constitute the most concentrated form storage of energy in the organization concentrated in the dromedary in the bump. Contrary to the other ruminants which ensure the essence of their energy needs starting from the production of volatile Fatty-acids and thus generate a small quantity of Glucose, the dromedary presents a Glycémie comparable with that of the man. It presents a very active Néoglucogenèse as well to the level of the Foie as of the Rein, which enables him to maintain a glycemia almost normal in the event of deprivation of food, without ketogenesis. Its saving in water is also done at the time of its excretion. The animal loses approximately 7 times less water than the Vache. However it is especially that in situation of dehydration, the urine of the dromedary is 2 times more concentrated than sea water, which enables him to recover a maximum of water. The liver is also a body which decreases the liquid rejections by recycling its water protein urine either or.

When the dromedary has an overdrawn ration out of proteins, the quantity of excreted urea becomes very weak. In proteinic situation of deficit, it excretes 1% only of its urea, against 23% at the Mouton. In fact, our animal with the capacity to recycle in a remarkable way the Urée, which makes it possible to answer the proteinic deficits of food origin and to maintain the protéosynthèse ruminale.

On the plan of minerals, all occurs in the dromedary as if its Métabolisme were turned towards an anticipation of the periods of mineral malnutrition. It signs its adaptation to these periods of food restriction by various mechanisms: increase in the capacities for absorption in the event of shortage, greater storage capacity of certain biogenic salts, greater tolerance with certain electrolytes, maintenance of the basic enzymatic activities in spite of the overdrawn situations.

The breeding

Reproduction, races and types

The concept of Race depends on the criteria narrowly controlled by the man according to the objectives laid down at the animal. With Djibouti and in Ethiopia, the principal race is the Dankali and his/her cousin nearest is the Chameau of Bactriane.

The male is put at reproduction between 6 and 12 years. Too much young person, it is not productive enough and too old man the weakening of the period does not allow him to provide his functions. During the season of the loves, the behavior of the animal is very aggressive, it loses the appetite, loses weight, with the Diarrhée, urine frequently, has an excessive salivation with externalization of the velum in the form of fabrics of pink and wet flesh called DOULA by Arabic. It has an annoying tendency to bite, with botter, and to give blows of head. For the male, the Accouplement lasts 11 to 15 minutes, 3 to 4 times per day. The best reproducers can cover up to 70 chamelles per season. The female is seldom put at the male before 4 years. The nominal period so that it reproduces is from 4 to 20 years. During all its life, it will change from 3 to 7 chamelons. The period of gestation is 13 month. At the time of the low setting, the chamelle one deviates from the herd and is put in baraquée position; the chamelon him risk either to be crushed, or to be choked under it. For the period of Lactation the chamelle one provides 12 to 18 liters milk per day for its chamelon and the nomads can take some up to 8 liters. It is good to know that milk is 3 times richer than the Cow's milk in Protéine and in Vitamine C.

A livestock

One is often unaware of that the dromedary is high for its meat or its milk, to even carry out agricultural work. One is unaware of even more often than the dairy productivity, at certain chamelles nourished well, is quite higher than that of the dairy bovines high under the same conditions. Sometimes the development of a true milk industry dodder is recent and takes place in several sub-Saharan cities in intensive forms of production as in Saudi Arabia. In production of meat, there exists a tradition of fattening dodder in the Corne of Africa, which allowed the development of an international business of the livestock cameline, this one being exported since the Sudan, the Ethiopia, Djibouti and especially the Somalia towards the countries of the Arabic Péninsule.

If the dromedary made its reputation like animal of pack or animal of saddle, and if its agricultural use is old in India, with the Morocco, in Ethiopia, of new uses are observable such as for example transport of the household refuse in the natives of Niger cities or a more anecdotic way the development of the camel-library in India or with the Kenya, dromedaries being dedicated to the transport of the travelling libraries of village in village. Charged the animal can move between 4 to 7 kilometers per hour and go 40 to 50 kilometers per day, during days even during weeks.

Geographical distribution

The dromedary was indexed in 35 countries, such as the India, the Turkey, the Kenya, the Pakistan and well of others still. Domesticated with the the Middle East and more precisely in the south of the Arabic peninsula, the dromedary was reintroduced in North Africa in a domestic state at the beginning of the Christian era at the time of the draining of the Sahara. The wild form, which was to exist at the beginning of historical times, disappeared mysteriously, without leaving of trace.

It currently occupies all the Africa sahélienne and of the North of the Mauritania (and even the Canary islands) in Djibouti. In 1999, a study showed that 80% of the population of the dromedaries were in Africa with nearly 10 million heads in the horn of Africa. The main part of manpower is concentrated in three countries: Somalia, Sudan and the Ethiopia by order of importance. It is Somalia which shelters the most important livestock: 6 million heads (what makes 2 animals per capita) on approximately a world population estimated at nearly 20 million heads. One counts on average 1 dromedary for 20 people in 18 countries of Africa. It was indexed approximately 51 races of dromedaries. In Asia, it occupies all the arid arc of the Arabique peninsula to the desert of the the Rajasthan in India, the zone Eastern of its distribution of origin. Towards North, it occupies the limiting areas of the Central Asia (Turkménistan) besides where it can hybrider with the Chameau of Bactriane to two bumps. It was introduced with the courses of into other areas, like the Australia or the North America, the South America, the South Africa, with unequal results. It is only in Australia that it was used in an intensive way in second half of the 19th century and with the beginning of. The animals came at the same time from importation and local breedings (which were not enough to answer the request). In 1800: during the countryside of Egypt, Napoleon 1st created a Régiment assembled on dromedary for its qualities of adaptations to the desert medium.

With the appearance of the cars and trucks, since the Years 1920, the dromedary lost the essence of its economic role in Australia, and a great number was slackened in the desert. The population of the Australian dromedaries returned in a wild state (phenomenon of marronnage) and increases exponentially (doubly into 8 to 12 years) to currently exceed undoubtedly 500.000 heads

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