The camel and the dromedary are mammalian animals belonging to the order Artiodactyla or ungulates with even fingers, that is, with hooves. The two animals are two different species of the same genus :
- Camelus dromedaries: it is the dromedary with a hump
- Camelus bactrianus: it is the two-humped camel
Difference between Camel and Dromedary
Both the camel and the dromedary have been domesticated by man, mainly for their ability to withstand the adverse climatic conditions of desert regions. They are used for milk, wool, meat, and transportation. Let’s check below what is the difference between Camel and Dromedary.
A rule of thumb to remember which the camel is and which is the dromedary:
- Dromedary starts with “D” which only has one hump.
- The Bactrian camel begins with “B” which has two humps.
What’s a Camel?
The camel is an animal with a more robust body that is characterized by having two humps. Its scientific name is Camelus bactrianus. The Bactrian camel is named after the ancient region of Bactria, where it is estimated that the domestication of this animal began.
Characteristics of Camel
- Two humps on the back: erect and full when there are nutritional resources, drooping and empty when there are nutritional deficiencies.
- More robust body
- Double thick lashes
- Long hair, which increases during the winter and sheds in the summer
- Thicker limbs
What is a Dromedary?
The dromedary is a large mammalian animal belonging to the Camelidae family, with the scientific name Camelus dromedarius.
It shares the same gender as the camel, and is commonly known as the Arabian camel, as it is located mainly in North Africa, the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula. In the 19th century, Australia imported dromedaries from India to be able to transit in the desert interior of the country.
Characteristics of Dromedary
A simple hump: 20 cm high, it is the fat store.
- Long curved neck
- Narrower and taller body
- Double thick lashes
- The coat is brown long and concentrated hair on the throat, shoulders and hump
- Strong, thin and long limbs, with two toes on each leg
