respect for camels

[Jon Ford]

Oh ye infidels-- your comments on the great beast of the desert show a lack 
of knowledge and respect! First of all, the camel is all American, as it 
originated in North America and simply ambled over an ancient land-bridge to 
its current home in the Middle East. Second, the camel would surely frighten 
off the Northern Alliance warriors and even unwary Marines as it has a 
tremendous burgling yawp like you've never dreamed of. Check out a 
sound-file at <http://i-cias.com/e.o/index.htm>.

Here is some valuable information for anyone who dares enter into combat 
with this awesome critter:

All
  Arabian camels are domesticated
  from a process that started about
  5,000 years ago. Now there are no
  wild Camelus dromedarius in North
  Africa and the Middle East.
    Camelus dromedarius, or Arabian
  camel, is recognized for its single
  hump and short hair. The Arabian
  camel is about 2 metres high and 3
  metres long and can weigh up to 700
  kg. It has two toes on each foot and
  thick sole pads, well fitted for
  crossing hot sand. Moreover, it can
  close its nostrils as protection
  against flying sand and its eyes
  are shielded by long eyelashes.
  When running, the camel moves
  both legs on one side in a parallel
  manner. The camel carries a food
  reserve in its hump consisting of
  fatty tissue. The camel can survive
  on little or no water for long
  periods, as well as utilize salty
  vegetation, it can bite off and
  consume thorny plants living in
  the desert. Contrary to other
  mammals, the camel can survive
  losses of water equalling 25% of
  the body weight. The urine of the
  camel is highly concentrated.
  When the camel comes across
  water, it is capable of consuming
  enormous quantities. The camel can
  take extremes in temperatures,
  both cold and hot, heat much
  because it loses it quickly as all
  fat is located to the hump on the
  back.
    The economical importance of
  camels has disappeared to a large
  extent, compared to pre-modern
  times, when it was used in caravans,
  for transportation and subsidiary
  for its meat and milk. Its wool was
  used for clothes, and the manure
  was used for fuel after being
  dried. In these times, the camel was
  also a symbol of status and wealth.

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