Family CAMELIDAE
Compiler and date details
December 2010 - Updated by Stephen M. Jackson, c/- Queensland Museum, Brisbane, following Van Dyck & Strahan (2008)
31 December 1998 - J.A. Mahoney & D.W. Walton (1988); updated by Barry J. Richardson (1999), Centre for Biostructural and Biomolecular Research, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury
Introduction
This family of the Artiodactyla includes the camels and llamas. Though none are native to Australia, one species, the dromedary camel, Camelus dromedarius has been introduced.
The dental formula is 1/3, 1/1, 2-3/1-2, 3/3 = 30-34. A postorbital bar, formed by the frontal and jugal, is present. There are two digits on each foot and the metapodial bones are partly fused. Horns are not found on animals of either sex.
All species are herbivorous ruminants. Recent species were found originally in the Palaearctic and Neotropical regions though the range of the camel has been extended now to include Africa.
General References
Siebert, B.D. & Newman, D.M.R. 1989. Camelidae. pp. 1050-1053 in Walton, D.W. & Richardson, B.J. (eds). Fauna of Australia. Mammalia. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 1B 827 pp.