Camels are renowned for their legendary ability to travel up to 100 desert miles without water. They are part of a family known as camelids. They are closely related to llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicuñas; which are native to Latin America.
Arabian camels were first domesticated some 4,000 years ago. The dromedary camel has long been valued as a pack animal in the Arabian Peninsula as well as in Somalia, Ethiopia, the Middle East and parts of Western and Central Asia.
The dromedary typically thrives in areas with a long dry season and a short wet season. They are extremely sensitive to cold and humidity. Some breeds, however, can thrive in humid conditions. Even in tough conditions, camels can carry large loads of up to 25 miles a day.
The camel has a series of physiological adaptations that allows it to withstand long periods of time without water. When water is available, the camel is able to drink enormous amounts at a speed that allows it to store up for any tough journey that may lay ahead.
Like the penguin, camels have adapted to live in extreme environments. Unlike the penguin, the dromedary camel is no longer a wild animal. In Africa and Arabia, it is a semi-domesticated animal that free ranges, but is under the control of herders. Much like cows, camels remain a status symbol of wealth.
Camel Wisdom
In the world we live in, it is not easy not to succumb to the sin of greed. Camels were and still remain beasts of burdens for those who undertake long and risky journeys to reach their goals. The camel has been a symbol of fortune seekers for as long as their domestication journey.
Interestingly, then, camel wisdom is here to remind us of the importance of modesty. No matter how much you achieve, there will always be someone who has achieved more than you. The camel is here to teach you where to draw the line when it comes to greed. When we take more than we need and when we take advantage of others, we will be robbed of our happiness.
While we are not discouraged from seeking our fortune, we should know that it may not make us happy when we finally find it. Tribes have depended on the camel for millennia to pull through for them when necessary. It is why it is important to treat the camel with respect.
There are times on our journey where overwhelming tasks lay ahead. At this point, it is important to take a step forward instead of backward. The spirit of the camel will provide you with both focus and endurance so that you reach your destination.
The Mercantile 