Buzz
This list isn't about cigarettes, don't be confused. We're talking about camels, often referred to as the ships of the desert. These iconic, even-toed ungulates symbolize endurance, humps, and sometimes unpleasant body odor. While they may appear awkward and unattractive, camels have been aiding humans for over 3,000 years, carrying our belongings and navigating terrains where horses simply can't go.
10. Camel Brigades
When the ancient civilizations went to war, camels were always part of the equation. The Persians, Seleucids, Greeks, and Romans all rode camels into battle as they conquered their enemies. But camels didn’t fade into history – camel warfare persisted into the 20th century, and they fought in some truly unexpected regions.
In March 1855, the US Congress passed the Shield Amendment, an odd bill that allocated $30,000 for the War Department to purchase camels. The goal was to utilize them in the arid deserts of the American Southwest. Thirty-three dromedaries, along with three Arabic and two Turkish trainers, were brought to Camp Verde, Texas, where they surveyed roads and explored the Big Bend region. Later, they were transferred to Fort Tejon, California, where they carried supplies and military messages. They even served as pack animals during the Civil War, with 80 camels captured by Confederate forces. However, the soldiers eventually grew tired of the camels' foul odor and bad tempers, leading to their release into the wild.
Camels also played a role in World War I. The Imperial Camel Corps, a group made up of British, Australian, and New Zealand soldiers, fought against the Turks in the Sinai Desert. But these 'camaliers' didn’t ride into battle. Once the camels were made to kneel (barraked), one soldier would tend to 16 camels, allowing the rest of the troops to engage in combat on foot. As the Allies advanced to the lusher terrain of northern Palestine, horses became more suitable for combat, and most of the ICC was disbanded in June 1918. Even now, camels continue to serve, helping Bedouin desert forces in Jordan protect the border from smugglers and other threats.
9. The Legend Of Red Ghost
After the US military released their camels, the animals spread across the Southwest, eventually disappearing by 1934. Yet, there are occasional reports of people spotting the camels in the distance, and the desert is filled with eerie tales of spectral camels, like the Red Ghost and his ghostly rider.
In 1883, the body of an Arizona woman was discovered, stomped to death, surrounded by odd hoof prints and strange red fur. Not long after, two miners woke up to find a gigantic red creature standing in their tent. After several chilling encounters, it became clear that they were facing a camel, but there was something eerily wrong with the beast. Locals began to say the Red Ghost was carrying a headless rider. Some believed he was a young soldier whose comrades had tied him to the camel’s back to help him overcome his fear of the animal. Tragically, the camel galloped away, and both the man and the creature became legends haunting the Arizona wastelands, though no one could explain how he lost his head.
In 1893, an angry farmer, not too pleased with a ghostly creature snacking on his garden, shot the camel. However, when he inspected the body, the rider was mysteriously absent. Perhaps he had fallen off... but even now, people still claim to see the Red Ghost and its headless rider wandering the Arizona desert.
8. The Wild Bactrians
The wild Bactrians of Eastern Asia are the only true wild camels left in the world. While Australia is home to many dromedaries, they're actually feral, not wild. And though there are plenty of domesticated Bactrians, these wild ones are a distinct species that has never been tamed. Wild Bactrians are also among the hardiest creatures alive, perfectly adapted to survive in harsh, Mad Max-style apocalyptic landscapes.
Wild Bactrians are found in only two locations on Earth. Some inhabit Mongolia’s Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area (which, by the way, is heavily protected), while the others reside in the Arjin Shan Lop Nur nature reserve in China's Xinjiang province. This is particularly remarkable given that the Chinese tested nuclear weapons there in the 1950s. It's essentially an irradiated wasteland, but the camels thrive. Wild Bactrians are also blessed with kidneys that would impress any rock star. With little fresh water in these regions, they survive by drinking from salty springs. Yes, these camels drink saltwater—something even domesticated Bactrians avoid.
Unfortunately, wild Bactrians are even more endangered than the giant panda. As of 2010, there were only about 950 left in the wild, primarily due to humanity’s interference. While the Gobi Protected Area is meant to be free of humans, miners regularly disregard the 'No Trespassing' signs in their pursuit of gold, and when they get hungry, they kill a few camels. In Lop Nur, poachers plant explosives around the salty springs, and when the camels approach for a drink... boom. Drought and wolves are also taking their toll, and scientists predict the wild Bactrians may vanish in just a few years. Some conservation groups are considering breeding wild Bactrians with domesticated ones to preserve the species, while others are advocating for captive breeding programs to keep the pure bloodlines intact. Hopefully, a solution will emerge soon, so the wild Bactrian can continue to be the toughest camel on Earth.
7. The World’s Largest Meal
You might be fine with eating cows and chickens, but what about camels? The thought probably makes you cringe, but in the Middle East, camel meat is considered a delicacy, and the hump is the best part. It’s almost entirely fat, making it incredibly tender. However, it’s important to eat camels while they’re young, as older ones tend to be tough and stringy.
You don't have to head to the Middle East for a camel snack. Some British restaurants offer camel burgers, and since Australia is teeming with camels, there's a growing demand for camel meat. Restaurants serve up camel sausage, minced meat, and steaks to hundreds of hungry Australians. It's a win-win for everyone (except the camels), as their meat is healthier than beef, and a reduction in camel numbers helps preserve the Australian environment.
Camel meat also makes its way into the Guinness Book of World Records. According to Guinness, the world's largest meal (typically served at Bedouin wedding feasts) includes a roasted camel... and that's just one ingredient. The process involves stuffing cooked eggs into fish, then stuffing those fish into chickens. Next, the chickens go inside a sheep, and finally, the sheep is placed inside a camel. Voila! The world’s largest meal! Anyone feeling hungry?
6. Camel’s Milk
Got camel milk? It might seem odd, but camel milk is incredible. It's closer to human milk than any other milk found in nature, and it contains ten times more iron and three times more vitamin C than cow’s milk. Plus, if you're lactose intolerant, you can drink it without any issues.
Camel milk is enjoyed worldwide, by both the rich and the poor. The Ritz-Carlton in Abu Dhabi serves creamy camel milkshakes, a frosty treat especially popular with Muslims during Ramadan for its ability to provide essential nutrients during their daily fast. In Kenya, camel milk is a matter of survival, particularly due to the devastating drought in East Africa, the worst in six decades. Farmers are trading in cattle for camels, as they can endure longer periods without water and provide sustenance when cows have nothing left to give.
Camel milk has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. In Kazakhstan, it is employed to treat tuberculosis, and in Africa, doctors use it to provide nutrition to people living with HIV/AIDS. According to the Bikaner Diabetes Care and Research Center, camel milk can reduce the need for insulin injections in diabetes patients, which is particularly beneficial in regions where professional medical care is hard to come by. Some even claim that camel milk can improve the quality of life for individuals with autism.
So, why hasn’t camel milk made it to American grocery shelves? It used to be illegal to sell camel milk in the United States, but the FDA finally gave it the green light in 2009. However, since the government refuses to fund testing, it looks like Americans will have to wait a bit longer before they can enjoy a cold, creamy glass of camel milk with their cookies.
5. The Camel Virus
Nobody wants to fall ill, but imagine getting sick from a camel of all things. In 2012, a virus called MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) emerged in Saudi Arabia, later spreading to countries like Qatar, Jordan, and the UAE. The virus made its way to Europe, with reported cases in France, Italy, and the UK. Those unlucky enough to catch this coronavirus experience respiratory problems, including fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
Initially, scientists couldn’t pinpoint how some individuals contracted MERS. They knew the virus spread from person to person, but there were cases where patients had never come into contact with a human carrier, which suggested that some animal was acting as an unintended host. After testing livestock from various regions for antibodies, the scientists discovered that retired racing camels were the culprits. These camels had been infected by bats and transmitted the virus to their trainers. While MERS isn’t as deadly as the Black Death, it is dangerous—by October 25, 2013, 62 of the 144 infected individuals had died. Hopefully, scientists will find a cure before this camel-borne virus becomes a global crisis.
4. The Camel Mobile Library
The region around Garissa, Kenya holds the unfortunate distinction of having the highest illiteracy rate in the country. While the national illiteracy rate is 31 percent, a staggering 85 percent of northeastern Kenyans can neither read nor write. This area is predominantly populated by nomadic people who are often impoverished, prioritizing food and shelter over books. As a result, they are stuck in a cycle of poverty due to their inability to read. Enter the Camel Mobile Library, a program designed to provide access to books in these remote areas.
Launched by the Kenya National Library Service in 1996, the Camel Mobile Library brings books to remote students and adults. Camels, well-suited for the dry, harsh terrain, transport the books. Every week, librarians travel with three camels: one carries two boxes of books, each containing 200 titles, another carries a tent, and the third holds the librarian’s supplies. The libraries make stops at 12 different locations (since the locals are nomadic), where children eagerly gather to check out books. The librarians lay the books out on mats, allowing children to choose two each. Afterward, the camels are packed up, and the librarians move on to their next destination, promising to return in two weeks.
Most of the individuals who visit the Camel Mobile Library aren’t reading for fun. Students check out textbooks to prepare for exams, and the library specifically provides materials that match the educational curriculum. It also offers books to adults who are learning to read, and to those living in refugee camps. It’s quite remarkable to think how these slobbery, humpbacked creatures are improving people's lives.
3. Camel Beauty Contests
The judges are looking for specific characteristics when choosing prize-winning camels. Some traits they look for include floppy lips, a graceful hump, fine whiskers, well-shaped ears, a proper distance between the toes, sturdy legs, a long neck, and above all, a large head. If you plan to enter, keep your camel out of the sun as it can ruin its complexion. Additionally, female camels are preferred for their attractiveness. To ensure fairness, participants must swear an oath to truthfully disclose their camel’s age and lineage.
The Camel Mobile Library offers much-needed access to education in hard-to-reach areas, and it’s incredibly important for those living in tough conditions. It’s fascinating to think that these humble, slobbery camels are responsible for changing lives for the better.
Though the Al-Dhafra Camel Festival may seem odd to some, it holds great cultural importance for the Bedouin people. Their bond with camels stretches back to ancient times, and these contests help strengthen tribal pride. More crucially, the beauty pageants preserve the bloodlines of purebred camels and safeguard long-standing traditions from fading in the modern world. It may not be Miss Universe, but it certainly has noble intentions.
2. Camel Wrestling
The day before the wrestling match, the Tulus are paraded through the streets, strutting their stuff to the beat of music. On the day of the fight, the camels are led into an amphitheater, where affluent fans place hefty bets, and onlookers snack on camel sausages or purchase commemorative shawls. When the match begins, the trainers guide the camels toward one another, sparking a full-blown battle. The fight ends when a camel falls, runs away, or lets out a loud cry. Each camel has its own approach—some attack from the right, others from the left. Some trip their opponents, while others go for headlocks or attempt to sit on their adversary’s head. Biting is prohibited, and there’s always an umpire present to ensure fair play. Most matches end in a draw, but the victorious camel’s owner receives a beautiful carpet as their reward.
The Tulus, despite their soft appearance, are serious contenders in the sport of camel wrestling, and every year they show off their strength and agility. The excitement around these matches is a testament to the cultural significance of camel wrestling in Turkey.
While thrilling, animal blood sports are undeniably cruel. The Turkish government also takes issue with the event, though their concern is more about the country’s international reputation than the camels’ welfare. Despite the sport’s diminishing appeal among younger generations, there remains a dedicated fan base, and in the wrestling community, both the camel champions and their owners are regarded as icons, akin to the status of Mike Tyson. Like many animal blood sports, camel wrestling has deep-rooted traditions, and it’s unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
1. Camel Dung And World War II
In an odd twist, German tank operators believed that driving over piles of camel dung would bring them good luck. Once the Allies caught wind of this peculiar superstition, they began making mines that resembled camel droppings. After a few tanks were destroyed, the Nazis figured out the Allies' tactic and began running over only those piles that had already been driven over by other vehicles. In response, the Allies adapted by crafting new dung mines, this time with tire tracks.
The strange relationship between camel dung and warfare highlights how seemingly trivial things can become part of larger strategies. Even during one of history's most intense conflicts, superstitions like this played a surprising role.
The British also discovered a clever use for camel dung when it came to camouflage. By mixing the droppings into their paint, they created the perfect shade to conceal their equipment. So, when they weren’t engaged in combat with Nazis, British soldiers were often seen trailing camels, bags in hand, ready to collect the next batch.
Although it may appear that the camels were loyal to the Allies, they also played a role in aiding the Axis forces. Dysentery was a deadly threat on the front lines, but the Nazis learned from local Africans that fresh camel dung could serve as an effective remedy. Scientists found that the feces contained Bacillus subtilis, bacteria that destroyed the germs causing dysentery. So, in an effort to avoid suffering from this deadly illness, the Nazis opted to consume 'camel apples.' Delicious, indeed.
