Can Camels Jump? (This Is Funny!)
Despite their ungainly look, camels are tough, capable animals. According to the San Diego Zoo, a camel can carry an extra 200 pounds while walking 20 miles a day in the desert, and it can travel as fast as a horse.
So, can camels jump?
Not really. Camels are not built to leap over obstacles. When they run fast, all four feet briefly leave the ground at once, which some people count as a small "jump," but it is only a few inches high.
Can a camel jump very far? Which other animals can't jump? Read on.
How Do Camels Move?
Camels have long legs and broad, flat, two-toed feet. When they walk, they use a pacing gait, moving both legs on the same side of the body at the same time.
At higher speeds, camels can gallop. In a gallop there is a short moment when none of the four feet touch the ground.
That airborne moment is the closest thing to a jump you will see from an adult camel. Young camels, like the one in the video, may hop and buck when they are excited.
How High Can A Camel Jump?
Camels can't clear tall obstacles the way trained horses can. The only lift they get is the brief float during a fast gallop.
That float is only a few inches off the ground, so a fence or wall is a real barrier for a camel.
Camels have worked with people for a very long time. The San Diego Zoo notes they were domesticated more than 3,000 years ago and are still used to carry people and goods across dry regions.
Camel racing is also popular in parts of the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Their stamina and ability to go long periods without food or water made them ideal for desert travel, which is why they are called "the ship of the desert."
Animals That Can't Jump
Few animals can't jump at all, (that does not make them weak), but these are well known:
- Elephants: The largest living land mammals. Their great weight and leg structure mean they can't leap off the ground.
- Sloths: Excellent at moving through trees, but slow and not built for jumping.
- Hippos: Heavy, short-legged animals that can run surprisingly fast on land, but they are not jumpers.
Final Verdict
Camels can't jump in the usual sense. They can't leap from a standstill or clear obstacles, but when they gallop, all four feet leave the ground for a split second.
Sources
- Camel, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
