When Camels Roamed North America

**~~Kamal900~~** · 01-03-2019, 05:11 AM

I gotta say that camels are one of my most favorite animals, and I'm glad that the ancestors of Arabians managed to domesticate the dromedary camels

It's hard to believe that the most favorite animal among Arabs and Horners actually came from North America many millions of years ago.

**Mingle** · 01-03-2019, 05:30 AM

Its a shame that the camelids originated in North America but are now completely extinct there. Camels were one of man's best friends and helped man survive through the harshest terrains. They're really one of the most underrated animals. However, it'd have been nice if we had more wild camels. Currently, the only wild camels left are those from Central Asia's Steppe region and they're on the verge of extinction. The dromedary camels and Bactrian camels are fully domesticated species.

Wild equines (possibly horses or a close relative of their's) also used to roam North America as well. Their scientific name is Equus simplicidens. They became extinct during the Late Pleistocene around the same time as the camelops. More recently though, horses have been introduced from the Old World by the Spaniards, but they're genetically very different from the extinct species and are considered feral (as opposed to wild). The ones in Southwest USA are called "mustangs". There are also similar feral donkeys there called "burros". Wonder how well they'll do in filling the lost niche in the long run.

**ChildrenFromTheSun** · 01-03-2019, 05:38 AM

Well their camelid relatives in the Andes should be mentioned to be further convincing.

**StonyArabia** · 01-03-2019, 06:19 AM

Camels are noble creatures they are our symbol culturally

**~~Kamal900~~** · 01-03-2019, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by ChildrenFromTheSun

Well their camelid relatives in the Andes should be mentioned to be further convincing.

It's hard to believe that South American Camelids like Alpacas or Llamas are the closest relatives to Camels, rofl.

**frankhammer** · 01-03-2019, 07:09 AM

The camel still roams wild in Australia.

**Crn Volk** · 01-03-2019, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by frankhammer

The camel still roams wild in Australia.

They are an introduced species here though. They are considered pests.

**Dna8** · 01-03-2019, 09:33 AM

Ancient mammals are fascinating

**frankhammer** · 01-03-2019, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by Crn Volk

They are an introduced species here though. They are considered pests.

I'm well aware they are considered feral just as NZ considers the ring tailed opposum and every variety of wallaby feral pests.

All these creatures doing better in their new country than their native lands.

**Dna8** · 01-03-2019, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by frankhammer

I'm well aware they are considered feral just as NZ considers the ring tailed opposum and every variety of wallaby feral pests.

All these creatures doing better in their new country than their native lands.

I've lived in NZ for over 25 years now, and the opposum just cannot be got rid of