Camelidae, from Latin camelus (“camel”), in reference to the fact that all the members of this family are camel-related.

Common names of members

Dromedary camels, Bactrian camels, wild Bactrian camels, llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos.

Distribution

Africa, Central Asia, and the Andes region in South America.

Size

They are large animals, varying in size from 75–85 cm high at the shoulder, 1.45–1.60 m in length and 35–65 kg in weight to 1.85 m tall, 2.25–3.50 m long and 300–1,000 kg

Morphology

They are large animals with slender necks and long legs. They have two-toed feet with toenails and soft foot pads. May have one or two fat bags on the back.

Habitat & Ecology

Deserts, mountains and high altitude grasslands.

Diet

Strictly herbivores, their diet varies with the environment: horny desert plants, grasses, shrubs, herbs, lichens, fungi, cacti, and flowers.

Reproduction 

They are polygamous (one male mating with multiple females). One adult male will form a group and live with several females with their young.

Total species known

7

Species in the collection

1

Species in Hong Kong

0

References

Macdonald, D. W. (2006). The Encyclopedia of mammals. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780199206087.001.0001.

Nowak, R. M. (1999). Walker's Mammals of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press.