Page:Babyhood of Wild Beasts.djvu/103

 CHAPTER VIII

BABY Camel is such a droll looking little creature! His humps are clearly defined from the very beginning of his earthly career. His eyes are expressive and soft, and he has the patience of Job written all over his countenance. It has been my good fortune to know three baby camels. One was a Bactrian, or two-humped species, the remaining two were dromedaries or single humps. They are weak and helpless during the first few days of their lives, but gradually grow strong and run about quite actively at two weeks of age. They are sustained in good part by the air, eating practically nothing for the first two days. Then they become strong enough to take nourishment and acquire a good sized appetite in a very short time.

Young camels spend the greater part of their early life sleeping just as a human baby does. 83