THE DROMEDARY CAMEL AS A CLIMATE-RESILIENT SPECIES: UNIQUE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM MORPHOLOGY SUPPORTING LIFE IN HARSH ENVIRONMENTS

The dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) exhibits remarkable evolutionary adaptations that enable it to thrive in extremely arid and harsh desert environments. Climate change, marked by rising global temperatures, prolonged droughts, and erratic rainfall patterns, poses increasing challenges to ecosystems and livestock productivity in these regions. As a result, adaptive solutions, like depending more on camel production, have become increasingly essential. For confirming food security and sustainable animal management, and to explain why camels can handle stress in their surroundings, we need to learn more about their particular anatomy and physiology. The camel's digestive system is very different from that of other ruminants and equines, both in anatomical structure and physiological function. Some of these differences are a stomach with more than one compartment that lacks a true rumen, specifically glandular sacs, and efficient methods for absorbing water and nutrients. These kinds of adaptations are crucial for survival in water-scarce environments and help important body functions. This review discusses the special digestive features of the dromedary and how they help the animal adapt to challenges caused by climate change.