Camel

Camels appear to be such ungainly creatures that the longstanding joke claims that the animal was "designed by a committee." Yet, as filmmaker Tom Mustill's documentary—aired on PBS's Inside Nature's Giants series—illustrates, camels are a miracle of evolution. Camel follows veterinary scientist Mark Evans and comparative anatomist Joy Reidenberg into the Australian Outback. Camels are not native to Australia, but were imported to work for the country's early white settlers, and later abandoned when they were no longer useful. Far from dying out, however, over a million camels now exist in the country, and their population doubles every nine years. To prevent further destruction to native plants and species, Australia is attempting a culling of the herd. Here, a camel is shot and killed by wildlife officials, after which the camel's anatomy is examined. Camels are thought to be rather nasty and foul-tempered creatures, often fighting other camels to the death. The male camel attracts mates by spraying urine, and inflating a sac outside its mouth—emitting a stinking saliva that is apparently irresistible to females. Something in the camel's DNA permits it to be domesticated by humans, though it can take months or even years to train one properly. The documentary explores how the camel's long neck facilitates feeding, while its hump stores fatty tissue. Long legs allow a pacing gait that enables camels to cover territory more quickly, while a soft pad under the feet lets them traverse the blistering desert (the animal is capable of living months without water). Scientists and naturalists describe the camel as tough and frugal, possessing a "defiant resilience" ideal for surviving the Outback's hot, dry climate. An interesting profile of a fascinating creature, this is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)