There are several reasons why a person might want to buy a camel. Some may need it for travel, while others may need it for breeding. Whatever the reason, you should be prepared for the time, commitment, and responsibility that ownership of such an animal entails. This article helps you not only to prepare for the purchase, but also offers you some advice on choosing and how to buy a camel.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparing to Have a Camel
Step 1. Be prepared for lots of commitment and lots of responsibilities
This is especially important if you plan to keep the animal after travel or as a pet. Camels have a life expectancy of 40-50 years. They need vaccinations, care, body hygiene and adequate nutrition.
- Evaluate your cash availability. These animals cost a lot. It is not just about buying and bringing home a specimen, but you must consider the food, the place to keep it and the vaccinations. If the camel gets sick, you need to find a specialized veterinarian.
- If it has not been properly trained, you will have to spend more time and money taming it, as this is a very important aspect especially when it comes time to groom and clean it.
Step 2. Consider its intended use
Depending on your reason for wanting one, further preparations may be required, which is best thought about in time. That way, everything will be in order by the time the pet arrives and you won't have to rush for last-minute purchases. Here are some things to consider:
- If you want to keep a camel as a pet, you need a pasture bordered by a sturdy fence and with a three-walled shelter. Allow about one hectare of land (at least) for each specimen and keep it away from horses. Since these animals live in groups, it is a good idea to buy at least two.
- If you plan to ride it, you need to get a saddle, the stick that is pushed into the animal's nose, a rope and blankets. A stick or whip may also be useful.
- If you are going to use it as a pack animal, you will need another rope and sturdy bags.
Step 3. Make sure you have the right food
These animals can go without water for a long time, but they need to eat every day. Before buying one, you should prepare some food supplies. This caution is essential if you plan to travel with the camel in areas where it does not have the opportunity to graze.
- Camels prefer alfalfa and oat hay. From time to time, you can offer them corn or oats.
- They also need 140g of salt every day. If the food you provide isn't already fortified with salt, consider purchasing a block of rock salt.
- Make sure your specimen is getting enough selenium, as a deficiency of this mineral could prove fatal. If you feed it selenium-free food, you need to buy supplements.
Step 4. Make sure you want to properly care for the pet
Just like cats or dogs, camels also need annual vaccinations. They also need to be trained not only for riding but also for the grooming routine.
- These mammals must undergo annual vaccinations, for example against West Nile virus, in the office of a specialized veterinarian. If you don't want to vaccinate your specimen, you will eventually end up with a very sick camel.
- These are animals that need to be groomed to keep their thick fur free from dust and insects. By brushing your camel regularly, you are able to spot any stings, bumps or cuts early on and treat lesions before they become infected.
- Camels have nails, not hooves, which need to be trimmed by a vet or farrier.
- They need to be trained to stand still while they are groomed and their nails are clipped. You will also need to take care of further training if you plan to ride your pet.
Step 5. Complete all the bureaucratic formalities
In Italy these animals are raised only in wildlife parks and circuses; moreover, they belong to a threatened species, which poses further complications. However, in other countries, such as Great Britain, you can get a license that allows you to own a camel. The question is simplified for the dromedary; for example, in Sicily there is the first Italian breeding of these animals.
Step 6. Arrange transportation home
Depending on where you live, the transfer is not only expensive but also stressful for the animal. In general, land transport is less expensive and demanding than overseas transport. If you have decided to rely on a specialized company to bring the animal by sea, find out if it guarantees any kind of additional service. Some companies just leave the camel at a predefined location and you will have to take care of the transport to the house yourself.
Part 2 of 3: Choosing the Right Camel
Step 1. Decide which breed to take
This not only affects the number of humps of the animal, but also its size and type of fur. For example, the "Camelus dromedarius", that is the dromedary, has only one hump, is basically taller and is a natural inhabitant of the desert. The "Camelus bactrianus", that is the real camel, has two humps and a stocky build. Its woolly fur grows thicker in winter, making it suitable for colder climates.
Step 2. Purchase a sturdy specimen if you plan to use it for long distances
This is especially important if you are also transporting materials, people or both. A weak camel is easily injured, especially if it is not used to carrying a lot of loads. Here are some factors to remember:
- Watch his knees as he sits down and then gets up. Pay attention to any tremors or signs of instability, as it indicates weakness. A camel with weak knees cannot safely carry heavy loads.
- Pay attention to your pace. If you have a limp, it could be a sign of illness or weakness and you may have trouble traveling.
Step 3. Choose a docile and obedient dog if you have decided to travel with the animal
Camels are large and strong creatures, those with a disobedient temperament are not easy to control with physical strength alone. You should also not take a camel that bites or kicks.
The fact that he is well trained is important not only for riding him but also for the grooming routine. The animal must remain still while it is groomed and its nails are clipped
Step 4. When choosing the camel, observe how it sits and stands up
Movement should be smooth and continuous. This detail is especially important if you plan to ride it. Unlike horses, camels must remain seated to allow the jockey to mount and dismount. You cannot ride a camel while standing. If the animal sits or stands too violently, you are more likely to fall.
Step 5. Verify that the camel accepts the rope and nose stick if you plan to ride it
Some specimens do not wear bridles and bit like horses. The reins are connected to the muzzle through a stick stuck in the nose. If the specimen fidgets when wearing these harnesses, it means that it has not been trained to be ridden.
Step 6. Check that he is in good health
A sick animal is a source of trouble, regardless of whether you want to ride it or keep it as a pet. Check your skin and mouth for ulcers. Do not neglect the area under the paws, there should be no open wounds or injuries, because they are indicators of serious diseases that can prove to be disastrous, especially if you plan to travel to the desert.
You should choose a healthy animal even if you don't want to ride it. A specimen in poor health requires a lot of very expensive veterinary care
Step 7. Choose a young specimen that is between four and eight years old
Animals of this age are quite experienced, while still being strong and healthy.
Part 3 of 3: Buying the Camel
Step 1. Know where to buy it
You don't necessarily have to travel to the Middle East to get hold of this animal. In Sicily, for example, there is a dromedary farm.
- Camels are sold in Ethiopia, India, the Gobi Desert and Australia, the livestock market is a good place to start looking.
- A large camel festival is held in the Indian city of Pushkar during the months of October and November.
- Some sellers allow you to view and / or choose the specimen online before going to the site.
Step 2. Prepare to visit the overseas market
The salespeople realize that you are a stranger and they crowd towards you. Some can be honest and helpful, others less so. Dishonest people can take advantage of the fact that you are a foreigner and try to make you pay a higher price.
If you are in another country to buy a camel, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the customs of the place, especially with regard to trade, bartering and bartering. This way, you avoid appearing rude or disrespectful
Step 3. Consider having a local person accompany you
This can be a friend or an individual you trust. Try to find a camel expert who can handle the haggling for you and guarantee you a fair price.
Offer to pay the person helping you for their time, effort, and travel
Step 4. Remember that the price of these animals fluctuates based on several factors
It can be lower when there are many specimens and higher when the market does not offer many camels. Other factors affecting the price of camels are:
- The age and sex of the specimen;
- The fact that it is used for its meat, milk or fur;
- If it is used to travel or to ride it;
- The level of training;
- The genetic line, especially if it is sold by a breeder.
Step 5. Give it a name, unless it has already been given one
Choose the one that best suits its characteristics. Decide based on your imagination, the way he eats, walks, or his physical appearance.
Advice
- Choose a female if you are interested in trying her delicious and nutritious milk.
- If you are buying a camel for the first time, consider getting an older, tame, trained, and docile specimen.
- Purchase or borrow books on camel breeding and visit the websites dedicated to camel farming to find out how to care for your new pet.
