When we think of camels and dromedaries, we always ask ourselves the same question, which is each? We know that one has a hump and the other two, but when it comes to saying for sure which one is, doubts arise. However, despite the number of humps being the main difference that distinguishes them, the two have more characteristics of their own than may appear at first glance.
If you want to discover the difference between camel and dromedaryIn addition to learning an easy trick so that you never forget which one of them is, continue reading Green Ecologist and we'll tell you about it.
It is more correct to say hump than hump
Although most of us recognize the bumps of the camels and dromedaries as humps, they are also called hump, which would be the most correct name, since it serves to accurately name this region of the body of some animals that have it naturally.
Actually, when we use the word hump, we can also be referring to a disease that some people present and that consists of the arching of the spine and that receives the medical name of hyperkyphosis, so, to avoid any confusion, always it will be better to speak of humps when we refer to both camels and dromedaries.
In fact, unlike what happens in the case of humans with hyperkyphosis, the animals with humps They are not sick, but have these protrusions to store adipose tissue, that is, fat. Although popular tradition has always said that it is a water reservoir, it is an absolute error, since in reality it constitutes a fat deposit which serves as an energy reserve for this type of animal. You can learn more details about this common mistake and others in this other Green Ecologist article in which we reveal False myths about animals that we have always believed.
In addition, camels and dromedaries are not the only animals that have humps. For example, they also have animal humps like zebu, American bison, and European bison.
How many humps have the camel and the dromedary
The number of humps or humps It is the main difference between one and the other, because it is what is always seen at first glance and what most often draws attention to these animals. And, because of this, it also becomes the main point of discussion when identifying one and the other.
One of the simplest, but also most effective, ways to memorize which one is each of them can be done thanks to its name. Thus, a very simple trick to differentiate them is that if we think of the letters with which each of the words is written ("dromedary" and "camel"), we must remember that the two eles of the word "camel" are " like two bumps on the back of the word ”. In this way, we can remember that the camel is the one with the two humps (which would correspond to the two eles of the word), while by default, the dromedary only has a hump. It is a simple word game, but easy and effective when it comes to remembering which is which when you have to differentiate between one and the other.
More differences between camel and dromedary
However, despite the fact that the main difference between camels and dromedaries is the number of humps of each one, there is another series of elements that make them more different than it may seem at first glance.
Differences in height
Despite the fact that the height can vary between different individuals and that there can always be exceptional cases, as a general rule, dromedaries are usually taller than camels.
Differences in speed
Likewise, the dromedary is also usually faster than the camel. In fact, this is one of the reasons why it is most often used when used for transportation purposes.
Differences in resistance
When it comes to crossings, the dromedary is presented as a more resistant animal when it comes to traveling long distances because it can last longer without eating or drinking.
Differences with respect to the coat
Along with the number of humps, the difference between the fur of one and the other is one of the easiest elements to identify. In this case, the camel usually has a longer and somewhat darker coat, while the dromedary has a shorter coat and a lighter color.
Difference from the original areas
The original areas of the dromedaries would be located in the regions of North Africa and the Arabian peninsula, while in the case of the camel it would be typical of the desert areas of the Asian continent, such as the Caucasus and the Gobi desert.
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