Camel |
|
|
Until the discovery of oil, camels were the most important animals for people in the Arabian Peninsula. The Arabs depended on them for their survival, as camels provided them with milk, meat, wool and leather, and served as a means of transportation. They were also the main measurement of wealth.
The prosperity brought by the discovery of oil in the UAE has changed the lifestyle of the population. As a result, camels lost their significance, but they never stopped to be an integral part of Arabic culture, and are still kept in great numbers. They are often seen wondering freely around the desert, although they all have an owner. Usually, they return to the farms for a night. To restrict the distances they can walk, the owners loosely tie the front legs of the camel with a rope.
Camels continue to be farmed for their milk and meat, although, nowadays, their most important role is to be racing animals. Their existence is ensured as long as camel races are popular and continue to receive governmental support. Usually only female camels take part in the race and they start to be trained at the age of two. Racing camels can be very expensive, costing as much as 150,000dhs if judged to have a good racing potential. Therefore, they are well looked after, often receiving special diet with plenty of vitamins. Providing an important link with tradition, camels are also valued for their beauty. In recent years, camel beauty contests have been organized around the UAE.
Camels found in the UAE are the dromedary, which have one hump. They are wonderfully adapted to survive in the hot Arabian climate. Two of the camels’ special features are large flat feet, which prevent them from sinking into the sand, and the ability to go without water for many days. Camels can adjust their body temperatures to avoid sweating (no other animal can do that), and they know how to circulate water within their system if not enough water is available. Contrary to popular belief, a camel does not store water in its hump; it is used as a food store consisting of a fatty tissue. Their milk can sometimes be tasted at the farms or purchased in larger shops. It has a rather sweet taste and is extremely healthy and low in fat.
|
|
