A matter of bump and temperature control
Lymphatic and somewhat haughty, the dromedary can weigh up to a ton, depending on the breed (more generally 300 to 550 kg for females and 400 to 600 kg for males) and reach 2.5 meters at the withers. Unlike camels (cha-meau = 2 syllables = 2 humps), which graze in the highly variable climatic regions of Asia, where it's better to be doubly adorned to survive, it has only one hump, the volume of which varies according to its nutritional state. Contrary to popular belief, this hump - a large ball of flesh with no supporting bones - is not used to store water, but fat, in order to limit sweating, which is the main cause of dehydration in a dry environment. Localized in this way, fatty deposits do not spread to the rest of the body. Less fat means better cooling. The camelid's special metabolism does the rest, transforming this fat into water and energy. A veritable walking reserve, the hump enables the dromedary to cover up to 60 kilometers a day and survive for up to two weeks without eating or drinking. This ability is reinforced by other assets that limit perspiration: a light, thick coat that reflects the sun's rays, a limited number of sweat glands, and a rather extraordinary ability to thermoregulate the body's internal temperature according to the outside temperature. Whereas such a level of variation would be fatal in many other animals, the dromedary can lower its body temperature to 34° during the cool hours of the night and raise it to 42° during the hottest hours of the day, saving precious liters of water in the process. The dromedary can also withstand a water loss of over 30%, which would be fatal in other mammals. At the same time, it can rehydrate itself at high speed, ingesting the equivalent of a third of its body weight (well over 100 liters of water) in 15 minutes!
A morphology designed for arid environments
The dromedary's overall physiology is also particularly suited to dry areas like the desert. A large, voluminous cranial bone above each eye acts as a visor, while a double row of very long, well-filled eyelashes prevents sand from touching the eyes; to complete the picture, a third row of eyelashes acts as a small "broom" to wipe the ocular surface from left to right. As for the nostrils, they can close completely to prevent sand from penetrating them, thus preventing the nasal mucosa from drying out. The nostrils are separated by a small gutter that directs moisture from the nostrils directly into the mouth. High on its feet, the dromedary keeps its body away from the heat of the ground. Its wide, supple feet, without hooves but with elastic pads extended by two horny nails (or plantar soles), make it easy to walk on soft, sandy ground, like a tire. Calluses protect the knees and all parts of the body likely to come into contact with hot sand (when lying down, for example). When it comes to feeding, the dromedary also differs from other domestic ruminants. Its thick lips optimize its ability to grasp the coarsest plants, while its digestive system enables it to make do with nutritionally poor forage. Its diet is diversified and even includes plants with a high salt content rejected by all other herbivores. In the event of extreme scarcity, the dromedary may even feed on fish, meat, bones or skin. What a vessel of the sands!
The camels of the sultanate
But where can you see camels in Oman? Generally everywhere, as soon as you get away from the cities and nature reclaims its rightful place - not least when you're driving yourself through desert areas. Absent from the mountains, camelids flourish on sandy plains, by the sea (particularly in the Dhofar region) and above all, of course, in the deserts that occupy most of the country. Contrary to what one might think, very few of these camelids are wild, even when they seem to roam freely in empty, isolated spaces. They belong to farmers or herders who either live on the outskirts of the desert, or part-time between the desert and the city. Once used to transport goods across the sands, now replaced by powerful all-terrain vehicles, dromedaries, like their owners, tend to become sedentary and are mainly used as livestock for their meat, fur, skins and so on. As elsewhere, there are several breeds in Oman, some of which can be worth a fortune. This is the case of riding or racing camels, which are particularly prized by the country's notables, and especially the high dignitaries who, in addition to exceptional horses (the other great local passion), own camel "stud farms".
Outstanding couriers
An integral part of traditional Omani culture, racing is a genuine national sport, as it is unique in the Arab world. They are very popular with Omanis, and contribute to both folklore and the social fabric. They take place during the mild season, from September to March, mostly on weekends and public holidays, and are held in camelodromes set up in open spaces outside the cities. A National Camel Race Festival is held every year - see www.omanobserver.om for dates. Camelids can reach speeds of up to 65 km/h for the best of them (in comparison, a horse can race at up to 88 km/h). As well as being a link with traditional identities, racing is a business in its own right, with breeding farms, training tracks and a professional body specifically dedicated to this discipline (breeders, trainers, buyers, vets, etc.).
