In a recent military convoy briefing in Iraq, Colonel Peterson advised, “On the open highway we will try to maintain 60 mph. In urban areas we will slow to 10-20 mph. But, watch out for camels in the road!" (Road to Baghdad) He didn’t explain why, so I shall proceed to do so now.
A dromedary camel (a one-humper) weighs over 1500 pounds. They stand six feet tall at the shoulder and their skinny little legs are about three feet long. That places the center of gravity of the three/quarter ton animal at about 4-1/2 feet off the ground.
Drivers of many vehicles travel with their head at about this level, where a collision would undoubtedly leave it, embedded in fresh camel meat.
Personal note: One blistering hot day in Kuwait, I crested a rise in the road (at considerably more than Colonel Peterson’s 60 mph), and saw a camel dead ahead. With no chance to stop or even slow, I threaded my car between camel and ditch with inches to spare. I ended up a quivering mass of jelly. The camel threw me a dismissive, “hmmph.” and strolled on.
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