How long do camels live?

Camels are a part of the dromedary animal family. They are known for having two humps on their backs, long necks, and usually living in desert or arid zones.

These huge and friendly animals get to live a very long live. Actually, they have a lifespan or 40 years, and even managing to live more when they kept in captivity or a sanctuary.

Camels lifespan

Camels are very interesting animals, not only do have to very peculiar humps that distinguish them from any other animal, but they also have the ability to hold on water for a very -very- long time!

But we’re not here to talk about all the perks and fun things about camels, but to talk about how long do they live, and they actually have a very long lifespan.

You see, camels can get to live up to 40 years, having a very long life expectancy. The reason they get to live so long is due to various reasons: not only they don’t really have any natural predators but they are capable of holding on water and fat within their bodies for a very long time, meaning they’re able to run without food or water for days and still be completely fine, something most animals can’t do.

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How long do camels live in the wild?

Like we have been saying before, camels have a very long expectancy, getting to live anywhere from 40 to 50 years in the wild due to no known natural predators and their ability to hold on water and food for many days, making the necessity to eat less frequent.

It is important to mention that, although camels ARE herbivores and their diet consist mostly of grass and grains, meaning they are NOT predators, they actually don’t suffer from being the preys of any other animal, except for the wolves in some cases (the only natural predator of the camels). Actually, camels are more in danger due to hunters than they would be by the wolves.

It is thanks to these reasons that the camels have such a LONG life expectancy, allowing to reach adulthood without any problem, and living a very long life.

How long do camels live in captivity?

As it happens with most animals, camels actually do live longer in captivity than in the wild, being able to easily live up to 50 years in captivity, meanwhile they usually die around 40 years old in the wild.

It is important to mention once more that camels, and some other dromedaries, are actually killed more by humans than they are by their natural predators. However, most of them have been domesticated by humans, which has also significantly increase the population of camels in the world.

Much like it happens in the wild, camels living in captivity are usually fed with grass, grains, water wheat and even oats, following their natural herbivore diet.

Life expectancy of camels according to the species

Dromedaries or Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius)

From 40 to 50 years.

Bactrian camel

Can live up to 40 years.