Meet Tallulah

Meet Tallulah!


Age:

5 years

Came to Windy Hill Ranch:

At the age of 6 months, on January 3, 2003.


She is a Dromedary Camel.

She is a camel with one hump and so that makes her a Dromedary Camel. If you turn the "D" from the word Dromedary on it's side you will only see one hump. Camels with two humps are called Bactrians. If you turn the letter "B" on it's side, you will see two humps!

The word "dromedary" also means "The Runner". Dromedary camels are the camels used in camel races.

(Tallulah's summer look)

(Tallulah's winter look)



Last Weighed in at:

1326 lbs

(Tallulah wearing her saddle for the first time!)

Nicknames:

Tallu and Lula

Habits:

In the afternoon you can always find her napping at the same location, mid-pasture along the right fence line.



She grinds her teeth. Not a very fun habit to listen to.

When we go for walks, she likes to greet the mules and Clover, an El Campeon Farm's horse.



When she is done greeting Clover, she has to lay down on the grass and just relax there for a bit.



Sometimes she rolls over on her side and just lays there!



Why a Camel? Aren't They Just Mean, Nasty and Dumb Animals Who Like to Spit?

Contrary to popular belief, a camel does not naturally know how to spit! They can however, learn the behavior. More than likely, a camel will regurgitate their "cud", but it is not spit out. A camel who spits or regurgitates is one who is VERY upset or VERY stressed and afraid.



Tallulah is the perfect ambassador for all camels. She is very sweet and good natured. She LOVES meeting new people and will happily give them many kisses. She loves people who bring her carrots the most!

Some people think camels are mean because of the noises they make. Camels make a lot of groaning, grumbling and moaning noises.. but these are not always bad noises. Tallulah grumbles "hello" to everyone!

So What Makes a Camel a Camel?

Camelids originated in North America about 50 to 60 million years ago and were to be about the size of a hare. Over the next 45 to 55 million years, camels began to evolve and have become the tall animals that they are today. Now, dromedary camels are found in Asia, Africa, Egypt and Australia.

Camels have a split upper lip that is prehensile in a way. They can use their lips to pick up food. They have no upper teeth in the front half of their mouths, but do in the back for grinding down their food.



They have a long curved neck and long legs. They have padded feet so they don't sink in the sand. Camels have double eye lashes to help keep the sand and sun out of their eyes and a transparent third eyelid to protect their eyes during sandstorms. They can also shut their nostrils tight.



So Is That WATER in That Hump?



Surprise! There is no water in that hump. The hump is made of fat. It will only disappear if the camel has gone without food for extended periods of time. Through efficient and ingenious methods, the camel can recycle the water within it's own body if water is scarce. A camel can drink about 16 gallons of water in 3 minutes!



*I hope you've enjoyed meeting Tallulah. As always, clicking on the photos will make them bigger. This page will be updated continually as Tallulah grows, learns new behaviors and new photos are taken. I encourage you to come back often. This page will be linked to her photo on the side bar. *

Group Cooperation

When working with "herd bound" animals, you are also working with their social structure. To simply walk in and work with an individual animal while all the others are around is absolutely impossible. Unless, of course, the animal you are working with is the dominant individual of the group. The one in charge, like Spartacus.

In the past, if I walked into the pasture with carrots and tried to feed all the animals, bossy Spartacus would walk on up and push everyone away. Nobody would get to be able to have carrots from my hand nor would they get any personal attention from me.

One of the most rewarding things I have the privilege of experiencing here at Windy Hill Ranch, is having an understanding of how these social structures work and creating a relationship within them. Now, when I walk into the pasture with my carrots, everyone has learned that I am the dominant one. If any of them don't "play nice", then I walk away and no one gets carrots.

It really is amazing to feed a group of donkeys and have Spartacus walk up nicely and wait for me to open up the group and allow him in. It's rewarding to no longer have him come charging in with bucking legs and ears pinned down.

Enjoy the following pictures of me feeding carrots out, one by one in a group.

Pictured below from front to back: Spartacus, Baby Buckley, Lady Buckley and Lovable.

Same group but now Pippi is joining us.

Giving Spartacus some extra, well deserved attention for being so well behaved.

Here's my view. Aren't they so cute looking up at me, waiting for that delicious carrot?
From left to right:
Baby Buckley, Pippi, Lovable

Lady Buckley has joined the group on the far left.

I try to leave, but they want more!

Such good little donkey girls! (even though Pippi is trying to sneak into my carrot bag!)

Camp Goes Ranch!

The theater summer camp came to visit the ranch a few weeks ago. Here are a few highlighted moments from their visit. What I like to call, "Snapshots in time."

Backstage, as the guests are approaching, Bella and I make our way out.

I leave Bella on stage as I greet the audience. She declares, "Let's get the show started!"

A brief introduction with Bella at my side.

Bella being absolutely cute as she awaits her cue.

Teaching Bella a dance step.

Winter introduces himself to the audience.

And shows off just how much fun a cow can be!

Ready to capture that shot!

Trying to get him to stick out his tongue.

There's that tongue! "Mmmm yummy carrots!"

Take a bow my friend.

Hello Lucas! Who's the world's best piggy?!?

Well, he is of course! Look at that perfect sit!

And he lies down too!

Pippi and her wonderful ears.

Hard to tell, but she's showing off her dance moves.

Take a bow girl!

Ah yes! The star, Spartacus. (I think he's sticking his tongue out at them. How rude!)

His newest behavior... Slam Dunk!

Watch him soar!

Throwing away his trash like a good gentleman should.

Weaving better than those agility dogs I'd say!

El Nino shows off the uniqueness of alpacas.

He lays down with such ease.

Chiva performs.

And clearly entertains.

Take a bow.

After the show, it's Tallulah's favorite time. She gets a chance to meet and greet and get fed lots and lots of carrots.

Surprise! It tickles doesn't it?

A quick stroll between pastures to meet everyone in and not in the show.

Lady Buckley being very friendly and beautiful.

Helen gets out of her mud hole to take advantage of a good back scratch!

*As always, clicking on the photos will enlarge them.*