Medicine and Surgery of Camelids. Группа авторов. Читать онлайн. Newlib. NEWLIB.NET

Автор: Группа авторов
Издательство: John Wiley & Sons Limited
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Жанр произведения: Биология
Год издания: 0
isbn: 9781119583271
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1.14 Skeletons of various prehistoric camelids removed from the La Brea tar pits in Los Angeles, California. Scientists have discovered an incomplete fossil record.

      Domestic Bactrian camels had spread north into southern Russia by 1700–1200 BCE. and were in western Siberia by the tenth century BCE. Bactrian camels were used in China as early as 300 BCE. as the original Silk Route camels but were later replaced by crossbreeds of the dromedary and Bactrian camels [4].

      Domestication of the dromedary occurred prior to 3000 BCE. in the Arabian peninsula. The term “dromedary” is derived from dromos (Greek for road) and thus is only directly applicable to the riding or racing dromedary camel. However, dromedary is the name used throughout the world for this species, which existed in historic times only as a domesticated animal. Dromedaries were first associated with nomadic Semitic cultures and did not become important until the rise of the Arabian culture [4].

Map depicts native distribution of camels in Africa and Asia. Map depicts historic and current distribution of NWC in South America.
Reindeer 14 000 Llama and alpaca 6000–7000
Dog 12 000–15 000 Horse 5500
Goat 11 500 Dromedary camel 5000
Sheep 11 000 Bactrian camel 4500
Cattle 9000 Asian elephant 4000
Pig 9000 Cat 3000–4000

      South American Camelids – Llamas and Alpacas

      The cradle of llama domestication is the Andean puna (elevation 4000–4900 m), probably around Lake Titicaca, at approximately 5000–4000 BCE. Alpaca domestication probably occurred elsewhere, perhaps near Telarmachay. Alpaca‐type incisors have been found in middens at Telarmachay, dated at 4000–3500 BCE. [8, 31, 32]. Once domesticated, llama and alpaca herding economies spread beyond the limits of the puna and became important in the economy of the Andean people from sea level to high mountain elevations [32, 33].

      In the nineteenth century, SACs were exported to other countries from South America as zoo animals. Peru enacted legislation in 1843 prohibiting the export of live alpacas. Approximately 90 years ago, all of the Andean countries banded together to prevent exploitation of SACs by other countries. No legal exportations occurred from then until the 1980s, when the ban was lifted from alpacas and llamas [17, 34].

      North American llamas have expanded from the small population imported from South America prior to 1930 and a few animals that had been imported from other countries. Current numbers of North American llamas are estimated to be between 100 000 and 120 000, and alpacas are thought to number more than 150 000 [35]. Sporadic importation of llamas and alpacas from Chile into the United States began in 1984 after the U.S. government periodically recognized Chile as free of foot‐and‐mouth disease. Importations have also originated in Bolivia and Peru, but these must meet special quarantine protocols for animals deriving from countries where foot‐and‐mouth disease is endemic. A few animals have been imported by England, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia.

      The camels are ridden by lightweight jockeys (formerly by children) sitting behind the hump. They are now sometimes ridden by mechanical robot jockeys. The camels move out at a gallop and may reach speeds up to 40.32 kph (25.05 mph) for the first 2 km. Then, they settle down to a fast pace at an average speed of 32.4 kph (20.1 mph).

      Camels may change gaits (pace to gallop, and vice versa) during the course of the race, much like the flying change of leads in a galloping horse. The camel gallop is slightly faster than the pace and is often used in the dash to the finish line. Wagering (betting) is not allowed in Muslim cultures, but prizes are awarded to the race winners.