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Camel Eyelashes (All You Want To Know!)

If you are a woman, having long and thick eyelashes might be very important to you. After all, when someone looks at your face, the first thing they might notice is the eyelashes. And who doesn’t want to leave a good impression?!

Many famous paintings depict that eyelashes are something that enhances the beauty of the face. There are so many reasons why long eyelashes make you look attractive and catch the attention of people in the first place.

But what about animal eyelashes? More specifically, what about camel eyelashes? 

In this article, we will explain:

  • What are camel eyelashes
  • How long the lashes are
  • What those lashes are used for
  • Show you how these eyelashes look up close
  • Show you a few funny camel eyelashes memes
camel eyelashes

Do Camels Have Eyelashes?

This is a common question many people ask. And the answer is: yes, camels do have eyelashes. The eyelashes are one of the most important structures of the camel’s eye and face.

We will later explain every function their eyelashes fulfill.

What Are Camel Eyelashes And How Do They Look?

Camel eyelashes (also called lashes; Latin: cilia) are long wisps of hair that line the edge of the animal’s eyelids. The eyelashes are long and thick, angled downward, and almost parallel to the surface of the camel’s eye. 

Camel’s eyelashes are made of keratin, a fibrous structural protein. Keratin is a major component of hair, skin, and nails. It also allows eyelash hairs to turn, bend and fold without breaking.

Here’s a photo of how the eyelashes of a camel look.

dromedary camel eyelashes
Camel’s long eyelashes

How Many Eyelashes Does A Camel Have?

Camels have three sets of eyelids and two rows of eyelashes on their eyelids. Two of the eyelids have lashes; the third eyelid comes from the corner of the eye and doesn’t have any hair. 

 In camels, the eyelashes of both eyelids are very thick and long. Together with their bushy eyebrows and special eye features and morphology, they help camels survive the arid conditions of the desert.

How Eyelashes Help Camels Survive In The Desert

Camel’s eyelashes protect the animal’s eyes from sand or snow flying around. The lashes are a barrier to different insects, particles, and allergens that might get into the animal’s eye. 

Camel’s eyelashes are vital in desert environments where the wind is constantly blowing sand and the animal needs clear eyes to keep good visibility.

Camels have thick and long eyelashes that protect their eyes from the strong ultraviolet rays of the desert sun. The eyelashes are long enough to stick over the eyes, provide shade, and protect the animal’s vision from the intense brightness of the sun’s rays.

The eyelashes protect camel’s eyes from different eye pathogens and allergens. The eyelashes protect the eye by catching dust and other particles like pollen, animal dander, dust mites, or droplets, that are falling from above. 

Eyelashes might also have a role in the sensory assessment of the environment and social communication among camels.

Lengthy eyelashes redirect airflow and prevent the camel’s eyes from drying. In deserts, hot winds are constantly blowing, moving sand and other particles. When a camel is walking or standing, it might look in the direction the wind blows. If it weren’t for their lashes, those hot winds would evaporate moisture and dry out their eyes very quickly. 

We have a full article explaining in depth why camels have long eyelashes. Make sure to read it.

How Long Eyelashes Do Camels Have?

Camels have eyelashes between 1.2 and 2 inches (3-5 cm) in length. Some scientists claim that some camel breeds have longer eyelashes than that, up to 3.9 inches (10cm).

The upper and lower eyelids have long cilia; the hairs on the upper lid are more coarse and longer compared to those attached to the lower lid.

The middle parts of the upper eyelids have the longest eyelashes. This seems normal, as the top lashes prevent particles from falling into the eye. 

The longest hairs of the lower eyelid are in the middle third. A well-developed tuft of long eyelashes is also found near the medial canthus in both lids. Scientists also found that the middle margin of the camel’s eyelids has a triangular hairy area.

All of these eyelash lashes and the tuft are protective mechanisms against sunlight, dust, foreign bodies, and insects. 

Long, strong, and densely lashed eyelashes are extremely important for dromedary camels who live in dry, sandy environments.

A group of scientists at Georgia Tech found the ideal eyelash ratio after measuring pelts at the American Museum of Natural History. They claim that the ideal length of the eyelashes is around one-third of the width of the camel’s eye. 

If the eyelashes are too long, they will divert more air into the eyes and make them dry out faster. Also, more particles would get into the eyes and the animal would need to blink more.

If the eyelashes are too short, shorter than one-third, they do not divert enough airflow from the eyes. This also dries eyes very fast. 

So they concluded that one-third is the happy ground for the eyelashes length of a camel. 

Compared to humans, camels have longer eyelashes. Humans have an average length of lashes around 0.4 inches (1 cm); camels have three to five times longer.

Fun fact: the longest eyelashes in humans are 8 inches long (20.5 cm). The record is held by Ms. You Jianxia of Shangai.

Compared to elephants, who have the longest eyelashes in the world at 5 inches (12.7 cm), camels have more than two times shorter lashes. 

Giraffes are said to have eyelashes around 0.5 inches long (1.27 cm). Camels have 2-4 times longer eyelashes than them.

Compared to rabbits, camels have longer eyelashes. Rabbits have 0.4 inches long eyelashes (1 cm), camels 3-5 times longer, 1.2 and 2 inches (3-5 cm).

Cows have eyelashes between 0.24-0.31 inches (0.6-0.8 cm), this is also a lot shorter than the eyelashes of camels.

Compared to moose that have eyelashes length of 0.06-0.08 inches (0.15-0.2 cm), camels have significantly longer lashes.

AnimalEyelashes Length
Camel1.2-2 inches (3-5 cm)
Human0.4 inches (1 cm)
Elephant5 inches (12.7 cm)
Giraffe0.5 inches (1.27 cm)
Rabbit0.4 inches (1 cm)
Cow0.24-0.31 inches (0.6-0.8 cm)
Moose0.06-0.08 inches (0.15-0.2 cm)
Comparison of different lengths of eyelashes between animals

Like other body hairs, the growth of eyelashes follows a cyclical pattern, and the hair follicle growth period determines eyelash length. 

Camel Eyelashes Color

The color of a camel’s eyelashes can range from black to brown. Sometimes a camel with white fur will have white or silver-colored eyelashes.

camel head and eyelashes

Camel Eyelashes Images

Here are more dromedary and Bactrian camel eyelashes photos for you to see how thick their eyelashes are.

Bactrian camel with long eyelashes
Eyelashes of a Bactrian camel

white eyelashes of a white bactrian camel
White Bactrian camel eyelashes

eyelashes of a dromedary camel
Dromedary camel head and eyelashes

camel eyelashes in black and white
Black and white camel eyelashes

Camel Eyelashes Memes

Now, here are some funny memes and pics about the eyelashes of the camel. Feel free to share them with your friends!

funny camel eyelashes meme

Final Thoughts 

This brings our article explaining camel’s eyelashes to an end. Here we defined the camel eyelashes, explained how they protect the camel from dust, sand, and eye drying. We also explained that the camel’s eyelashes are 1.2-2 inches long (3-5 cm) and compared their length with humans, giraffes, elephants, horses, moose, and rabbits.

Because of the harsh conditions of the desert, camels developed different features to cope with that pressure. Their nostrils can open and close at will, broad legs prevent the animal from sinking in the sand, and a fatty hump provides food.

Feel free to read our interesting article on the main facts about the eyelashes of a camel.

References:

[1] Amador, Guillermo J., et al. “Eyelashes divert airflow to protect the eye.” Journal of the Royal Society Interface 12.105 (2015): 20141294.

[2] Rahmoun, Djallal Eddine, et al. “Anatomical and histological characteristics of the dromedary eye (Camelus dromedarius).” Theoretical and Applied Veterinary Medicine 8.2 (2020).

[3] Liu, Chenmiao, et al. “Exploring the genomic resources of seven domestic Bactrian camel populations in China through restriction site-associated DNA sequencing.” PloS one 16.4 (2021): e0250168.

[4] Yang, Y. J., et al. “Processing keratin from camel hair and cashmere with ionic liquids.” eXPRESS Polymer Letters 13.2 (2019): 97.

[5] Sayed, Khulood Muhammad, et al. “Analysis of Bimatoprost-Induced changes on Rabbits eyelash Follicle: Clinical and Electron microscopic study.” Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, NZ) 13 (2019): 2421.

[6] Sokolov, V. E., and O. F. Chernova. “MORPHOLOGY OF THE SKIN OF MOOSE.” Swedish Wildlife Research 1 (1987): 367-375.

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