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Camels?

8K views 11 replies 12 participants last post by  altair 
#1 ·
Hi, I was wondering the advantages to camels over horses? And do you need a permit to keep them? And is it true that their mean?
 
#2 ·
Each State is different to wether you can keep a camel or not.

I took care of a Baby Camel, when I worked with a Zoo for a short time, way back when.
Double hump one.... liked me so much... it only wanted me to feed it.
If I could of brought that one home, I would of.

Camels are a lot rougher ride than horses.... I would recommend riding one, so you can feel the difference for yourself.
 
#3 ·
I looked at getting a camel at one point -- my horse had died and sand colic was a possibility. Where I lived was sand, sand, and more sand. Camels are a lot less likely to croak from ingesting sand. I wanted an animal that could cover long distances, was heat tolerant, and was going to be fun to ride. (Apparently, they have better dispositions than most people think.)

One issue I found was that there was only one vet in the area who was willing to care for one, and she was out of the country a lot. Most vets haven't a clue. It's worse than trying to find a goat vet.

The other issue is that they are quite tall and won't fit well in most horse trailers. I would likely have had to get an old open top stock trailer or a very expensive extra-tall trailer. I cannot imagine the traffic jam hauling a camel down the road in a stock trailer would have caused. (I get people chasing me and taking pictures when I have the goats in the bed of my pickup!)

I was also told by the breeder I talked to that their feet don't handle rocky ground well. They're great in sand, not so much on the sharp rocks that are common in this state.

(I have never, note, owned a camel. For confirmation of this information and specifics, I'd suggest seeking out an experienced breeder or trainer. This is just what I figured out when trying to decided if I really wanted a camel. Due to the lack of a vet I could rely on, and trailer issues, I decided not to. I still think it would have been fun to trot down country roads on the back of a great big camel, though. -- And as bergere said, they are a different kind of ride than a horse. They go side to side more and are bumpier, and if you get a one humped camel, you're sitting waaaay back over the hind end.)
 
#7 ·
If you have experience with animal training and behavior, undertanding how to read and respond to camels is more intuitive than with most other species, sometimes even dogs. Of course you don't want an intact bull to work with one on one, but is there any other large livestock that is any different? A friend who grew up training horses now breeds and trains mostly camels, and he says that it takes a month to train a horse what a camel can learn in a day, and if you teach a new behavior then stop training for a month the camel will still remember it, while the horse will behave as if he's never heard of it.

The veterinarian issue is not that difficult. All it takes is finding one who is interested in trying. Most of the techniques, vaccinations and drugs used on camels are the same as are already used in other species. They just need to know which apply to camels and which don't. There are a few who have a lot of experience with camels who are very willing to consult with and give advice to other veterinarians. Thinking that a veterinarian doesn't have a clue simply because he hasn't had any experience with camels is not exactly the best way to attract one who will be interested in trying to work with you. Being a knowledgeable owner who knows how to restrain his own animal will go a long way too.

The trailer issue can be a problem, and most adults do require an 8' high trailer. Yes, the ride is not very smooth, but in the US and other developed countries most camel saddles are designed to sit up on top of the hump, not behind.
 
#11 ·
In the 1870 a number of camels were brought in to be used to ride and pack to the gold fields in this are..
Many went feral for a number of reasons and none have been seen since the 1920s or so..

People we know from Australia and people from here who have been there say wild camel is very good meat.
 
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