Camels in Idaho?
People often ask us “How do camels do in Idaho?”
The answer is “Excellent!” As a matter of fact, up until thirteen thousand years ago, prehistoric camels were common in North America and Idaho. Fossils have been found from American Falls to the Haggerman fossil beds. The most common of these ancient creatures was called Camelops. Before that was the Megacamelus which was twice as big as modern day dromedaries. They weighed up to 3.7 tons (8,100 lbs) and were 11 ft tall at the shoulder. Six to seven million years ago, camels migrated to Asia via the Bering Strait land bridge. These animals eventually became the Bactrian and Dromedary species we know today.
Modern day camels are still well adapted to Idaho’s semi-arid climate. Camels grow a thick winter coat beginning in August. By December a Bactrian camel can have a coat up to 4 inches thick. Our bactrians have access to shelter but often sleep in front of it with their backs to the prevailing wind. Dromedaries can also handle freezing temperatures. Despite blistering heat during desert daylight hours, once the sun has set temperatures will often drop to near freezing and occasionally below. Our Dromedaries will cuddle up in the shelter with each other, often having the wind blocked by their fellow Bactrians. Even on freezing nights, tucking a hand between them proves they are plenty warm.
In addition to their winter coats, Camels are ruminates meaning they ferment food in their first of three stomachs. Fermentation generates a small amount of heat which then gets trapped under their winter coat. A big meal on a cold night helps keep them toasty!
Around May all of our camels begin to shed. The spring brush out is welcomed as the camels get to feel a breeze for the first time in months. The fleece combs out easily thus avoiding the need for electric shears. This is an excellent time for bonding and trust building with camels as they appreciate the benefits of “friends with thumbs!”
In addition to being well suited to the climate, there are plenty of delicious things for camels to eat in Idaho. Camels love spiky bitter plants. We like to tell people “If you wouldn’t want to step on it, a camel would love to eat it.” They love thistle, koshia or tumbleweed, prickly lettuce and even like goat heads with the seed pods on them. They are able to digest lignin because of their complex rumen flora and fauna and will eat dry leaves and grass.
So there you have it! Camels belonged in Idaho millions of years ago and still thrive here today!