Camel vs. Dromedary — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 27, 2023
A camel is a humped mammal adapted for desert climates; dromedaries are a type of camel with one hump, while Bactrian camels have two.

Difference Between Camel and Dromedary
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Key Differences
If you travel across different parts of the world, you might encounter both types of camels. The dromedary is predominantly found in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa. In contrast, the two-humped variety of camel, known as the Bactrian camel, is native to Central Asia.

Fiza Rafique
Sep 27, 2023
It's interesting to note that the dromedary, despite being synonymous with desert landscapes, is also found in various domesticated settings, utilized for transportation, milk, meat, and as a beast of burden. When we use the word camel in a broad sense, it can refer to both the one-humped dromedary and the two-humped Bactrian camel.

Fiza Rafique
Sep 27, 2023
When one thinks of a camel, the iconic image of a creature with a hump or humps comes to mind. These humps store fat, which can be broken down into water and energy when sustenance isn't available. A dromedary, being a type of camel, possesses this adaptation, but is unique with its one singular hump.

Fiza Rafique
Sep 27, 2023
The term camel serves as an umbrella term for certain large, humped mammals that have adapted to living in desert conditions. On the other hand, the dromedary is a specific kind of camel, characterized by its single hump. So, while every dromedary is a camel, not every camel is a dromedary.

Fiza Rafique
Sep 27, 2023
From an evolutionary standpoint, both the camel and dromedary share common ancestors. However, over time and through natural selection, the dromedary adapted to its environment with its distinctive single hump, while other camel species developed two.

Fiza Rafique
Sep 27, 2023
Comparison Chart
Definition
A humped mammal adapted for desert life.
A one-humped camel species.

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Sep 27, 2023
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Geographic Range
Middle East, Africa, Central Asia.
Primarily Middle East and the Horn of Africa

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Sep 27, 2023
Species
Includes both dromedaries and Bactrians.
Is a species under the camel genus.

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Sep 27, 2023
Definitions
Camel➦
A domesticated creature used for transport and sustenance in desert regions.
The trader loaded goods onto the camel for the long journey ahead.

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Sep 27, 2023
Dromedary➦
The most common camel species found in Africa and the Middle East.
If you visit the Sahara, you'll likely spot a dromedary.

Fiza Rafique
Sep 27, 2023
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Camel➦
An animal adapted for arid conditions with hump-stored fat.
The camel can survive for days without water due to its unique adaptations.

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Sep 27, 2023
Dromedary➦
A one-humped species of camel.
The dromedary is often used as a pack animal in the Middle East.

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Sep 27, 2023
Camel➦
A symbol of endurance and adaptation in challenging climates.
Just like the camel, he endured the hardships with perseverance.

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Sep 27, 2023
Dromedary➦
Camelus dromedarius, native to arid regions of the Middle East and Africa.
The dromedary is especially suited to life in hot, dry climates.

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Sep 27, 2023
Camel➦
A member of the Camelus genus with species having one or two humps.
The camel has been vital to desert communities for centuries.

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Sep 27, 2023
Dromedary➦
A domesticated mammal primarily used in desert transportation.
With the dromedary's help, goods were transported across the vast desert.

Fiza Rafique
Sep 27, 2023
Camel➦
A camel is an even-toed ungulate in the genus Camelus that bears distinctive fatty deposits known as "humps" on its back. Camels have long been domesticated and, as livestock, they provide food (milk and meat) and textiles (fiber and felt from hair).

Fiza Rafique
Jul 23, 2022
Dromedary➦
A creature equipped for long durations without water.
The dromedary can outlast many animals in water-scarce environments.

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Sep 27, 2023
Camel➦
Either of two chiefly domesticated ruminant mammals of the genus Camelus, the Bactrian camel or the dromedary, having a humped back and long neck, and used in northern Africa, the Middle East, and Asia as a beast of burden and a source of wool, milk, and meat.

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Jul 23, 2022
Dromedary➦
The dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) ( or ), also known as Arabian camel, is a large even-toed ungulate, of the genus Camelus, with one hump on its back. It is the tallest of the three species of camel; adult males stand 1.8–2 m (5 ft 11 in – 6 ft 7 in) at the shoulder, while females are 1.7–1.9 m (5 ft 7 in – 6 ft 3 in) tall.

Fiza Rafique
Jul 23, 2022
Camel➦
A device used to raise sunken objects, consisting of a hollow structure that is submerged, attached tightly to the object, and pumped free of water. Also called caisson.

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Jul 23, 2022
Dromedary➦
A one-humped domesticated camel (Camelus dromedarius), widely used as a beast of burden in desert regions from northern Africa to western Asia. Also called Arabian camel.

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Jul 23, 2022
Camel➦
(Sports) A spin in figure skating that is performed in an arabesque or modified arabesque position.

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Jul 23, 2022
Dromedary➦
The Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius), having one hump or protuberance on the back, in distinction from the Bactrian camel, which has two humps.

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Jul 23, 2022
Camel➦
A light brownish color, like that of a camel (also called camel brown).

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Jul 23, 2022
Dromedary➦
One-humped camel of the hot deserts of northern Africa and southwestern Asia

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Jul 23, 2022
Camel➦
Loaded vessels lashed tightly, one on each side of another vessel, and then emptied to reduce the draught of the ship in the middle.

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Jul 23, 2022
Camel➦
A large ruminant used in Asia and Africa for carrying burdens and for riding. The camel is remarkable for its ability to go a long time without drinking. Its hoofs are small, and situated at the extremities of the toes, and the weight of the animal rests on the callous. The dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) has one bunch on the back, while the Bactrian camel (Camelus Bactrianus) has two. The llama, alpaca, and vicuña, of South America, belong to a related genus (Auchenia).

Fiza Rafique
Jul 23, 2022
Camel➦
A water-tight structure (as a large box or boxes) used to assist a vessel in passing over a shoal or bar or in navigating shallow water. By admitting water, the camel or camels may be sunk and attached beneath or at the sides of a vessel, and when the water is pumped out the vessel is lifted.

Fiza Rafique
Jul 23, 2022
Camel➦
A large desert mammal known for its hump(s).
The camel trekked effortlessly across the sandy dunes.

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Sep 27, 2023
FAQs
What's a camel's primary function?
Camels are often used for transportation, carrying goods, and providing milk and meat in desert regions.

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Sep 27, 2023
Are all camels dromedaries?
No, while all dromedaries are camels, not all camels are dromedaries.

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Sep 27, 2023
What do camels store in their humps?
Camels store fat in their humps, which can be converted into energy and water.

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Sep 27, 2023
Which camel species has two humps?
The Bactrian camel has two humps, while the dromedary has one.

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Sep 27, 2023
Can a dromedary crossbreed with a Bactrian camel?
Yes, their hybrid offspring will have characteristics of both species.

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Sep 27, 2023
Are dromedaries native to North America?
No, dromedaries are primarily native to the Middle East and the Horn of Africa.

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Sep 27, 2023
Are dromedaries and Bactrian camels closely related?
Yes, both are species of the Camelus genus and share common ancestors.

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Sep 27, 2023
How long can a camel go without water?
Depending on the conditions, camels can survive without water for up to two weeks.

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Sep 27, 2023
How are camels adapted to desert life?
Camels have humps for fat storage, long legs to walk on sand, and specialized kidneys to retain water.

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Sep 27, 2023
Is the dromedary the only one-humped camel?
Yes, the dromedary is distinctively the one-humped camel species.

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Sep 27, 2023
What do camels typically eat?
Camels are herbivores and typically graze on shrubs, grass, and other desert vegetation.

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Sep 27, 2023
Do dromedaries have a specific habitat?
Dromedaries are well-suited to arid, desert environments but can also be found in various domesticated settings.

Fiza Rafique
Sep 27, 2023
Which is larger, the dromedary or the Bactrian camel?
Bactrian camels are generally bulkier and can be larger than dromedaries.

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Sep 27, 2023
Are there wild dromedaries?
While most dromedaries are domesticated, a small number of wild dromedaries exist in some parts of the world.

Fiza Rafique
Sep 27, 2023
Author Spotlight

Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content editor at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform.
Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.