Reproductive performance of the one-humped camel. The empirical base

Abstract

This paper reviews data on the reproductive performance of camels mainly from field studies. A large number of countries from Asie and Africa are covered. Late ages at first parturition (60 months), long intervals between births (24 and more months) and relatively early culling of breeding females (from 10 years) are responsible for a total
lifetime production of young of less than three per breeding female. Camels have a marked seasonality of breeding in most areas but the reasons for this are not yet clear. Reproductive performance can be increased by simultaneous improvements in age at first birth, shortened parturition intervals and greater longevity.