“Suren represents the new and younger generation of animals to join the Detroit Zoo,” said Curator of Mammals Bob Lessnau.  Zookeepers hope to breed Suren when she reaches reproductive maturity at around 4 years old.

The 6-foot-tall calf weighs about 500 pounds.  A mature Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) typically stands 7 feet tall at the hump and weighs up to 1,500 pounds. 

Equipped to withstand cold temperatures, the Bactrian camel grows a thick winter coat to keep warm.  In the summer months, the coat sheds away leaving the camel almost hairless.  Contrary to popular belief, camels store fat – not water – in their humps, providing energy when food is limited. 

The Bactrian camel has two humps compared to the dromedary camel which has one hump.  The easiest way to remember this camel trivia is to turn the first letter of the camel’s name on its side.  “B” for Bactrian has a double hump and “D” for dromedary has a single hump.

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo.  Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak.  The Detroit Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October.  Admission is $11 for adults 15 to 61, $9 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7 for children ages 2 to 14; children under 2 are free.  For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.  The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks. Admission is free.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056.
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