Camel on the Canning Stock Route – Original

Wild feral camels abound in Australia and are considered destructive to the environment. Many people don’t realise the word ‘ruminating’ comes from the fact that ruminant animals (those with multiple stomachs such as camels, giraffes, alpacas, cows, antelopes, sheep, and deer) need to chew their ‘cud’ to fully digest their food.

While doing so, they are usually sitting placidly, looking contemplative. Hence the word. A sick or stressed animal will not chew its cud.