You probably haven’t spent much time thinking about the inside of a camel’s mouth. But believe it or not, these desert dwellers are hiding something that looks like it came straight out of a sci-fi movie!
With their goofy grins, grumbly growls and seriously unexpected dental features, camels are full of evolutionary surprises. In fact, what’s happening inside a camel’s mouth is one of the weirdest and wildest things you can see on a Wild Florida Drive-thru Safari Park ride!
A Camel’s Mouth: A Desert Survival Machine
Meet the dromedary camel, the one-hump wonder that roams the desert regions of Africa and the Middle East. These seasoned desert dwellers have adapted to some of the harshest conditions on the planet. And their mouths? Just as rugged and unusual as the rest of them.
Rubbery Lips
Camels have thick, muscular lips that function almost like fingers. Their lips are also split in two, which helps them graze more efficiently. These unique features allow them to grasp and pull tough, thorny plants with surprising precision.
Thick Papillae
Inside their cheeks are cone-shaped structures called papillae. These ridged bumps all point backward, guiding sharp food safely down the throat while protecting the mouth from injury.
They resemble tiny bristles or spines, giving the inside of a camel’s mouth a look that’s more like an alien than an ordinary animal.
Crazy-Strong Teeth
Camels have 34 adult teeth, including sharp canines, just like the family dog! Even though camels are herbivores, these pointed teeth are not for eating meat. Instead, male camels use them for defense, especially during mating season when they compete with other males.
The rest of their teeth are large, flat molars made for grinding. These powerful molars can crush everything from dry desert brush to thorny shrubs with ease. When camels chew, they use big, sweeping circular motions. Try copying a camel’s chew and see who in your family does it best!
Did That Camel Just Blow a Bubble?
You’re not imagining it. That really is a bubble coming out of a camel’s mouth! During mating season, which typically occurs in the cooler months, male dromedary camels inflate a large, bright pink, balloon-like sac from the side of their mouth.
This strange and fascinating structure is called the dulaa. It looks like a cross between a wad of bubble gum and a tongue performing gymnastics. While it might seem unusual to us, in the camel world, it is a bold display. The bigger and bouncier the dulaa, the more impressive the male appears to potential mates.
Dromedary Camel Fun Facts
Camels are full of surprises, and their amazing adaptations don’t stop at their mouths! Check out these fascinating facts:
Built-in Sun Protection
Their thick fur might look hot, but it actually helps keep them cool by reflecting sunlight and insulating them from the intense desert heat.
Silent Communicators
While they can grunt and bellow, camels also use body language like head tosses, lip curls and ear movements to "talk" to each other.
Not All Humps Are Alike
Contrary to popular belief, that single hump is NOT filled with water. It stores fat, which camels can break down into energy and even a bit of water when resources are scarce.
Desert Navigators
Dromedary camels have an incredible sense of direction and can find water sources and familiar routes across vast, seemingly featureless landscapes.
Fast and Graceful
Despite their size, dromedaries can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour in short bursts and cruise comfortably at 25 miles per hour.
Come See That Smile for Yourself
Let’s be real: you’ve got to see it to believe it! At Wild Florida’s Drive-thru Safari Park, you can meet our charismatic dromedary camels while cruising through more than 85 acres of wide-open terrain, all from the comfort of your own car. Roll down your windows, snap some photos, and get a front-row view of these incredible African animals in action.
For an even more unforgettable experience, join our VIP Safari Tour. This hour-long guided adventure gives you an inside look into our safari and gives you the rare opportunity to hand-feed our camels. It is the perfect way to see their amazing mouths up close while they munch away right from your hands!
More Fun at Wild Florida
But there’s still more animal encounters to be had at Wild Florida! After your Drive-thru Safari, head to the giraffe feeding platform at the end of the safari trail and hand-feed a giraffe for just $5!
And the fun keeps going. Your safari ticket also gets you free admission to the Gator Park, where you can meet sloths, gators and over 200 other native and exotic animals.
So what are you waiting for? Book your Drive-thru Safari Park tickets today and come see the wildest smiles around. From toothy grins to towering giraffes, Wild Florida is where unforgettable memories are made!
