the camel

More than 3,000 years ago an ungainly but useful desert aimal was
domesticated in Arabia. It was the Arabian camel, a long-legged beast
withone large hump on its back. It could cross hot deserts without needing much
 water, and it could carry heavy loads without tiring. The two-humped Bactrian
 camel of central Asia was also domesticated long ago. It is sturdier than the
Arabian and can carry heavier loads. During the winter, its brownish hair is thick
 and long for protection from the cold nights. It sheds is hair in patches in the
spring, as the weather warms up. Camels are hornless hoofed mammals.
Their hoofs are like leathery pads. Their toes spread apartwhen they walk on
sand o snow. Camels are called"ships of the desert" because they sway from
side to side when they walk and carry loads. Some camels are trained for riding.
They kneel to allow riders to mount. A camel saddle must fit over the large single
hump or between the two smaller humps. A special breed of Arabian camel, the
dromedary, has been developed for riding and racing. It has longer legs and weighs
 less than a regular "baggage" camel. It can run at speeds up to 10 miles per hour.
A camel's hump is a large deposit of fat. The camel's body uses the fat as food
when plant food is not available during long desert treks.