Dromedary camels were domesticated in the Middle East around 3000 B.C. They are used as pack animals, and are ridden and used to pull carts. They provide food in the form of milk and, in some places, meat. Their hair is also brushed out as it sheds and used to make cloth. There are even camels bred especially for racing.

Dromedary Camel
Camelus dromedarius

There are two different species of camels in the world.
Dromedary camels have one hump and originated in the middle east. Camels with two humps are called Bactrian camels. They originated in Asia. The camelid family also includes llamas, alpacas, vicuňias and guanacos which are all native to South America.

Contrary to popular belief, camels store fat, not water, in their humps. This extra fat gives them energy when they must travel long distances in the desert with no food or water.  When they have gone a long time without water, they are able to drink large quantities of water and absorb it very quickly into their systems. Camels are browsers, and love to eat broad leafed plants, as well as grasses. Their upper lip is split and they use the two halves like fingers to pull leaves out of the thorny dessert plants.