Camelids are large herbivorous animals with a slender necks and long legs. Camelids do not have hooves, but instead have two-toed feet with toenails and soft foot pads (Tylopoda is Greek for "padded foot"). Most of the weight of the animal rests on these tough, leathery sole pads.
(m3an-chm-unge-ca-camel) Even-toed Ungulates, Camelidae
photo:sandiegozoo.org
Genus:
Camelus
Camels are even-toed ungulates that bear distinctive fatty deposits know as humps on their backs. Camels have long been domesticated and as livestock, they provide food, (meat and camel milk) and textiles (fiber and felt from camel hair). Camels are working animals especially suited to the desert habitat and are a vital means of transport for both cargo and passengers.
There are three surviving species of camel. The one-humped dromedary has over ninety percent of the world′s camel population, while the two-humped Bactrian camel has less than ten percent. The third species, know as the wild Bactrian camel is now critically endangered.
Species:
C. dromedarius
Dromedary or Arabian camel
Domesticated, South Asia and Middle East
Species:
C. bactrianus
Bactarian Camel
Domesticated, Central and inner Asia
Species:
C. ferus
Wild Bactrian camel
China and Mongolia
(m3an-chm-unge-ca-llama) Even-toed Ungulates, Camelidae
photo:www.wall.alphacoders.com/
Genus:
Lama
Lama is a genus containing the extant South American camelids including: the llama, the wild guanaco, the alpaca, the wild vicuña.
Species:
L. glama
Llama, domesticated form of Guanco
Species:
L. guanicoe
Guanaco, South America
Species:
L. pacos
Alpaca, domestic form of vicuña
Species:
L. vicugna
Vicuña, South American Andes
