Facts about camels

We tend to get our camel facts in bits and pieces. We know that some camels have one hump, others have two, and they are famous for being able to go long distances or periods with out water. We've heard that they can be easy to ride, or uncomfortable to ride, depending on who you talk to. We tend to associate them with desert areas, and may have even heard that they once roamed free in the state of Nevada.

While any list of camel facts can be lengthy, let's try to put together some information that gives a good picture as to where this animal comes from, what it is like, and how it is used. First of all, the camel is an ungulate, an animal that has hoofs. There are two true camels, the dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) which has single hump, and the Bactrian camel (Cameulus bactrianus) which has two humps. The dromedaries are mostly found where we tend to expect them, in the arid regions of northern Africa. Nearly half of the dromedaries living today will be found in Somalia and Ethiopia, the remainder are spread across North Africa from Sudan to Morocco. The bactrain camel exists in much smaller numbers, and live mostly in northern Asia.

Both species were introduced into the United States in the 1800's, with the United States Army using them as draft animals for a short time. This experiment did not prove to be successful, as horses could not easily be used alongside the camels (horses do not like the small of the camel), and the troops never became accustomed to them. Many of the animals were simply allowed to run free and were spotted roaming free in the southwest, especially in Nevada, from time to time for a number of years. There is a feral population if the Australian Outback, thought to be several hundred thousand in number. While native to Africa and Asia, the true camels have cousins in South America, those being the vicuña, alpaca, and the llama.

Among the camel facts you may come across which are not true, are those which suggest that the camel is able to store huge quantities of water, and that is the reason for the hump(s). While the camel will drink a large amount of water when it is able to, its secret is not so much in being able to store water, but in being able to use water very efficiently. The camel can withstand very hot temperatures, and looses much less water through sweating and respiration than is the case with most other animals. Its coat tends to insulate the body against the heat of the sun, minimizing perspiration. Also, a camel can lose over 20% of its weight through dehydration before being in danger of dying. 3% is the limit for most animals. A camel can often go a week without a supply of water, and when grazing, efficiently extracts water contained in leaves and plants. The hump by the way, does have a purpose. It consists primarily of fatty tissue which serves as an energy reservoir. A camel can cover 20 mile a day in hot weather conditions, while carrying a 200 pound load.

Although used primarily for transportation, there are a few camel facts of interest regarding their use as a food source. Bedouin tribes use the camels as a source for both milk and meat. Camel milk is very rich; more so than cows milk, and the meat, which is said to taste like beef, has been served for years from Persia (Iran) to Egypt, and points in between. In some regions, camel blood is consumed, being a source of salt, iron and vitamins not always available in the usual diet. Though not food items, camel hair and hides are also valuable commodities, and are often used in fine articles of clothing and leather products. Camel poop (dung if you prefer) is often used as a fuel for heat and cooking.

Camels can move fairly quickly, and as they can maintain a speed of about 25 mph for over an hour, can cover ground fairly quickly. For short distances they can run at speeds of 40 mph, and camel racing is a very popular sport in the Middle East, as popular as horse racing. Camel races are not strictly limited to the Middle East, there is a prestigious camel race held annually at Alice Springs, in the interior of Australia. These are truly remarkable animals, well suited to a wide variety of climatic conditions, able to cover long distances, and, with their broad hooves, able to navigate fairly easily in loose sand. They truly are "ships of the desert".

Information on cockatiel training can be found at the Knowledge Bin site.

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Bactrian camels

Jerking frantically, our jeep climbed up a dirt-road that snaked across an alpine slope covered with sparse vegetation. We were on a quest to understand the conservation issues related to the Bactrian camel in the Nubra valley of Ladakh. Soon the Khardung La, the highest motorable pass in the world, came into view. Prayer flags, hallmark of a high pass in this part of the world, fluttered incessantly on a spur.

Once at the top, we staggered around taking pictures of signboards with 'World's Highest Motorable Road (18, 380 ft)' emblazoned on them. The height soon affected us, and we quickly squeezed into the jeep and continued. After a relatively smooth drive on a macadamized road we reached at Khardung village. The bright green agricultural fields around the village were in stark contrast to the dark brown slopes surrounding them.

Hundreds of nature lovers visit Nubra valley every year. It is popularly known as the Valley of Flowers, and is located at about 100 km north of Leh, the capital city of Ladakh and the erstwhile Indian gateway to central Asia. The landscape is adorned with wild flowers, sand dunes, jagged mountains and sea-buckthorn thickets that teem with birds and mammals.

Sumur village was our first stop, and we stayed at the Stakrey Guest House with a beautiful garden in full bloom. Apart from delightful flowers, the owner had grown vegetables such as potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, tomatoes, etc. Next day we ventured into a side-valley to look for wildlife, but after plodding for a while the trail faded into a vertical cliff, and we needed to retrace our path.

The afternoon was spent in the Tirit village, learning about the history of camel in Nubra. "Camels in the valley are the descendents of a group of about 15 individuals bequeathed by the central Asian traders" said Wangdus Norbu. The Kalon families of Tirit and Sumur, who ran a caravanserai during the heyday of trade on the Silk Route, were the first to raise camels as draught animals. But as the road infrastructure in the valley improved, thanks to the Indian Army, they were abandoned.

"The trade on the Silk Route was made possible only by these hardy animals" added Mr. Norbu. Bactrian camels can live several days without water, a feature well recognized by the central Asian traders. "An adult camel can carry three times more load than that carried by a horse" remarked another villager. The most important commodities the Yarkandi traders brought included silk, bullion, pearl and Persian rugs, which they bartered in Leh for spices and clothes from the plains of India. The trade ended in the late 1960s following the Sino-Indian war.

After a pleasant stay at Sumur, we continued our journey up the valley and found a small oasis for camping. We pitched tents amongst Hippophae bushes, laden heavily with luscious berries. An effort was made to spot camels before having a dinner of Spaghetti.

A golden light had bathed the surrounding peaks, when a roaring helicopter woke me up the next day. One more machine flew across before I got up. Perhaps they were carrying fresh supplies to the frontier post at the Siachen glacier, the biggest outside the polar region and the highest battleground in the world. After morning ablutions we headed toward Panamik village, a much coveted destination in the valley because of its hot springs. People from all over Ladakh come here to take a shower, as they believe that the sulphur water is a panacea for all diseases.

After a few days at Panamik, we went to Diskit, the headquarters of Nubra. On arrival we explored the small market with shops selling trinkets. We were told that camels are found in the scrub forest below the village, so Mark and I ventured into it. After a great deal of searching, we saw a pair of camels feeding on leaves of stunted willow trees. Soon they joined a group of thirty animals. It was a grand sighting indeed; our efforts finally paid off.

Although the domesticated Bactrian camels are abundant in central Asia, the wild form is one of the most endangered mammals on the planet with less than 1000 individuals surviving. They are distributed in the Gobi desert of Mongolia, and Xinjiang and Gansu provinces of China. Despite concerted conservation efforts, its population continues to dwindle due to competition with livestock and poaching.

The feral camels in Nubra has long remained isolated from the larger population in the aforementioned central Asian countries, and perhaps represent a genetically distinct population. Thus they need immediate attention from conservationists, as they are in conflict with the people. "They enter the fenced orchards and destroy trees" said Abdul Razaq, a villager of Hundar. "People throw axe in retaliation and the animals succumb to the injuries" he added while sipping a traditional Ladakhi tea.

Furthermore, some agitated villagers drown the foals by driving them into the high currents of the Shayok river. "People urged the district administration to appoint temporary guards to prevent the animals from entering private properties, but to no avail" said another villager. The situation is worsening with the soaring needs and aspirations of the people.

Fortunately, the opening of the valley to tourists a decade ago gave new economic opportunities. Camel Safari is a recent initiative and is increasingly becoming popular in the area. Young entrepreneurs are fascinated by this new prospect, and are increasingly taming the feral camels. However, since the animals have been left untended for a long time, it is often difficult to recognize them in the wild. This sometimes leads to scuffle amongst the alleged owners.

One day, we joined a group of tourists riding camels on the sand dunes near Hundar. As I sat astride and rocked on a camel trudging across the sand dunes, the guide told me about this newfound business. Although Camel Safari enhances the income of the locals, the animals seemed stressed and emaciated. The ones we rode were certainly weaker than those we had seen earlier in the thicket. But perhaps enhancing the economic value is the only way to conserve them in the long run.

"People also take a few camels to Leh every year to participate in the week-long Ladakh Festival in September, and earn some additional income" snapped the guide. With this increasing business prospect, the people of Nubra are becoming possessive about their camels. According Abdul Razaq, people were up in arms when four Bactrian camels were taken for breeding in Pushkar, Rajasthan, home to the Dromedary in India. They contend that if tourists see the Bactrian in Rajasthan, they (tourists) will not make an effort to come to a remote place like Nubra to see them. "Fortunately, the animals did not survive in Rajasthan due to the intense heat and were brought back" informed a villager.

We set out on the last leg of our journey to Hundar, where we camped at Nyerchung Resort located in a gorgeous orchard in the middle of the village. We pitched our tents below an apple tree that shed its fruits day and night. After a couple of memorable days at Hundar, we bid adieu to Nubra and drove back with the fond memories of Bactrian camels, hoping that they survive the negative impacts of modern development and continue to be the cynosure of the valley for centuries to come.

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Rat breeders

Young male rat pups are easy to sex, even before maturity, by the relatively long ano-genital distance. The testes should have descended into the scrotum by about three weeks of age. Hold the buck (male) in a vertical position, with its head uppermost, to be sure of spotting the testes if you are in any doubt. A rat can withdraw them back into the body but nipples are visible in does (females) about one week after birth. It is common practice to separate rats into single sex groups by the time they are seven weeks old; after this time they will be approaching sexual maturity. Does are not usually used for breeding purposes until they are about thirteen weeks old and over 200gm (7oz) in weight. By comparison, males of a similar age under 275gm (9.7oz) are not usually recommended for stud purposes.

Various mating systems can be used. One particular method is to place one or two males with up to six females. This will serve to stimulate oestrus, or pheromones in the does as they respond to the male odors. Female rats cycle about every five days. Because of this, successful matings are likely to take place soon after the introduction of a buck. The level of lighting appears important for successful breeding, since their natural proliferation declines during the darker days of a temperate winter. Ideally, provide sufficient artificial light to give a total daily exposure of about fifteen hours. The normal gestation period is three weeks, or so, but will be longer if mating has taken place almost immediately after the doe has given birth. She will be ready to mate again in this so-called 'postpartum' breeding period within two days of producing pups, but the developing embryos will not implant into her uterine wall as rapidly as normal. It is often best to remove the doe to separate quarters to give birth, especially if she normally forms part of a colony. Two does may be housed together quite successfully in this way.

A litter may consist of up to fourteen pups. These will be independent about three weeks after birth with each young rat weighing about 50gm (1.8oz) at this stage. The doe will be ready to mate again within a week of weaning being completed if she did not conceive at the 'postpartum' heat. Rats can breed almost until the end of their lives but their reproductive capability declines after a year or so. Rats generally live between two and four years under normal captive circumstances but older individuals are not uncommon.

Visit Legacy Cages for a quality rat cage and cat cages to keep your pet rat safe during play time.

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Castration

Sterilization as a means of contraception was practiced for a long time. After learning that castrating animals prevented pregnancy, early Chinese doctors did the same thing to men and were successful in their attempts.

By 1200 B.C., castration was performed on servants of the emperor. The Assyrians and Babylonians also castrated slaves which they kept in their homes. Most of the early procedures, however, were not only crude but dangerous, especially in the absence of antiseptic substances and effective anesthetics.

In the 20th century, doctors turned to X-rays as a means of sterilizing both men and women. This was later abandoned due to radiation's harmful effects and the risk of contracting cancer.

Today, sterilization is accomplished through vasectomy for men or tubal ligation for women. Both are considered non-reversible ways of contraception. Of the two, tubal ligation is more popular but vasectomy appears to be picking up.

Vasectomy was developed in the early 1900s and is one of the few birth control methods for men. In this minor surgical procedure, each of the vas deferens, the two tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis, is cut and sealed.

Compared to tubal ligation, vasectomy is less physically traumatic and less expensive. It takes only 20 minutes and the stitches usually dissolve in seven to 10 days. Strenuous activity should be avoided for the next 48 hours while sex can be resumed in a week provided there is no discomfort.

"You may notice some swelling and discomfort in the scrotum for a few days. However, if the pain persists for more than a few days or becomes severe or if fever develops, call your physician," said Dr. David E. Larson, editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book."

Many people prefer a vasectomy because it can be done quickly and involves less time away from work, the reason why more than 42 million couples throughout the world rely on this method. In the United States, more than 15 percent of men over 40 have had a vasectomy. These include celebrities like Dean Martin, Abbie Hoffman and Lord Snowden.

But things were different in the past. There was a time when interest in vasectomy declined because it was thought to lead to serious health problems. Early repots in 1977 and 1978 blamed vasectomy for a host of ailments ranging from arthritis to heart disease. Subsequent studies have refuted these claims.

"The procedure in no way interferes with a man's ability to maintain an erection or reach orgasm. Nor does it impede the production of male hormones or of sperm in the testicles. The only change is that the sperm's link to the outside has been severed permanently. After a vasectomy, you continue to ejaculate about the same amount of semen because sperm account for only a small part of the ejaculate," Larson explained. (Next: Vasectomy and prostate cancer.)

To enjoy sex in your later years, keep fit, eat right and love life. That simple advice can go a long way in preserving your sex life. For extra help, take Fematril, a safe and natural female sexual enhancer that can stimulate your mind and body. For details, go to http://www.fematril.com/.

Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine [http://www.HealthLinesNews.com]

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Veterinary Practice

Ok, you have just bought your lovely new kitten and are all excited. Now it's time to consider trying to find a local veterinary or vet practice that is the best one to suit you and your kitten.

Hopefully there won't be many frequent visits, however when you do, you have to feel happy that they can treat your kitten as and when he requires care.

Before I start, it is worth mentioning that you should not be afraid to ask your vet questions while they are examining your kitten. They will only be too happy to explain what they are checking for.

So here are the seven tips or facts you should consider when choosing a vet..

1. How do other cat owners in your area feel about their vet?

2. Are their requirements the same as yours?

3. What are the practice consultation times and will they be convenient for you?

4. What services and facilities does the practice offer? And what range of animal species are normally treated? For instance you may own a Siberian Kitten, have they had any experiences with that breed before?

5. What are the routine treatment costs? There could be a variation in costs, depending on location, facilities offered and overheads.

6. Where is the practice located and is it near any transport links? Does it have a car par, and are there any branch practices which may be nearer to your home?

7. Is the practice accredited with a recognised Veterinary body or organization?

Keep a note of these tips and facts to consider and wish you all the best with your carefully considered choice.

Leo is an avid researcher and enjoys writing articles online and has been for a while now. This author covers a broad spectrum of topics however he specializes in fitness, dieting and weight loss, you can also check out his informative website at http://www.antioxidants-guide.com/ this is where you can discover the all about the baobab health benefits, its the superfruit everyone's talking about!

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Veterinary Technician

There is always something new about veterinary medicine every now and then. The changes that took place in the profession are always good and makes them more competent in there chosen field. Their efforts have certainly made a great difference in all of our lives. 

Even with all the recent advancements of medicines, prescription and non-prescription veterinary diets and behavior modification training, there are always new and improved ways and techniques to better the animal's quality of life.

That being said, veterinary technicians have been a big part of these medical and non-medical improvements. They are now given more duties and privileges and are finally being properly recognized. Jobs, specific trainings, and continuing education are now being offered by vet tech schools. They certainly have more options this time. 

These privileges and responsibilities given to the vet techs make them a valuable member of the pet health team. They play a very important role in almost all animal care scenarios. Vet techs a needed in vet clinics, research institutions, animal shelters and zoos. They are practically everywhere. 

The veterinary technician's help to a veterinarian has lessened their workload and has improved an animal's health. Their partnership is now a must.

Veterinary technicians are now demanded in all veterinary institutions. It is expected that the demand will be increasing in the years to come. This paved way for more vet tech schools to open and be accredited. This would mean more opportunities for more people. 

As an animal lover, you should choose to get a formal vet tech education since it is needed nowadays. This is going to be a very wise decision to a something you love for a living.

So start the journey by deciding to be a happy veterinary technician. It's going to be a bright future!
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Veterinary Training

If you excel at the sciences and love animals then you should consider exploring veterinary training and becoming an expert in animal care. This is a field where not only can you help improve the quality of life for animals but you can be well rewarded financially for your services.

Veterinary scientists and veterinary technologists/technicians are in high demand. This should come as no surprise. Millions of people In the US and Canada love their pets and are willing to spend good money to see those pets in the best of health.

But it may come as a surprise to you that the skills learned in veterinary training are not just applied to animal care. As a matter of fact, research breakthroughs in diseases affecting animals have been applied to human medicine. After all, many diseases affect both animals and humans.

It takes a special personality to become a veterinarian. It is a given that you need to be compassionate and patient when dealing with animals. But you also need to have a strong constitution to handle the sight of bloody animals. You need to be able to make the tough decisions - deciding that it is best to euthanize an animal rather than trying to treat it.

You should also be interested in understanding animal behavior, habits and the physical systems that they have. You need to be physically fit to be able to lift and restrain animals as well.

Not to mention the academic requirements you need to have. For entry into the veterinary science degree program, you need to excel at the sciences and mathematics.

Another way to demonstrate you early commitment to veterinary training is to get volunteer with your local animal shelter or vet. In fact, it is critical to being accepted into veterinary college that you show that you are committed to animal welfare outside of school as well as inside.

Prior to entry into the doctor of veterinary medicine program (DVM), you need to ensure the program is appropriately accredited. There are not many colleges in the US that offer accredited veterinary degrees. Neither can veterinary science training to be done online. So be careful of schools claiming to offer online DVM programs.

If you feel that veterinary training is not for you, consider doing a certificate in any of the various aspects of animal care. For example, you could do a certificate in dog obedience training or pet grooming.

These in general won't pay as well as having veterinary training. However if you manage to provide obedience training or pet grooming services to an affluent clientele - you can make serious money.

Next, find the top schools that offer veterinary training and find out if this career is suitable for you. Visit: http://www.distancelearningdegrees.org

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