Baby dromedary camel on exhibit at Blank Park Zoo

Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines has announced that the camels arriving for the summer at the zoo have brought along with them a surprise: a baby male dromedary camel.

The camel, born on April 11, was four feet tall at birth and weighed about 90 pounds. The only problem is the zoo needs a little help with a name.

Blank Park Zoo officials are asking for suggestions from the children of Iowa. Now through May 31, the zoo is hosting a contest. Entry sheets are available at the Blank Park Zoo, at the camel ride and at www.blankparkzoo.com.

What makes a good camel name?

“Any name you would give a pet generally makes a good camel name. The only names we stay away from are pop culture names,” said Betsey Strain camel ride operator.

Sorry Conan, Tom Cruise and Nick Jonas, you are not eligible.

The current camels at the zoo are named Cotton and Molly.

The winner of the naming contest receives a family four pack of day passes to the zoo and an Adventure Pass, which includes a train ride, feeding the giraffe and, of course, a camel ride.

The Blank Park Zoo offers camel rides everyday from May 1 through Labor Day.

The zoo is open every day 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10.95 for adults, $5.95 for children under 12 and $8.95 for seniors and active military. The zoo is located at 7401 SW Ninth St. in Des Moines, or visit the zoo online at www.blankparkzoo.com. The zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), America's leading accrediting organization that sets rigorous, professional standards for zoos and aquariums.

More about Dromedary Camels

The dromedary camel is a large even-toed ungulate with one hump on its back, in contrast to the Bactrian camel, which has two. They now widely exist in the domesticated form in Africa and the Middle East. The original range of the wild species is uncertain. The world’s only population of dromedaries exhibiting wild behavior is an introduced feral population in Australia.

Thousands of camels were imported to Australia between 1840 and 1907 to open up the arid areas of central and western Australia. They were used for riding, draught and pack animals for exploration, construction of rail and telegraph lines and to supply goods to remote mines and settlements. While they do not appear to be as destructive as other introduced herbivores, their increasing numbers may affect native vegetation, and, therefore, are considered minor agricultural pests.

Dromedaries have an ill-deserved reputation for being bad-tempered and obstinate creatures that spit and kick. In reality, they tend to be amiable, patient and intelligent. The dromedary has many adaptations to survive in dry, desert habitats. Most well-known is the “hump.” This is not used to store pure water, as commonly believed, but rather is a reservoir of fatty tissue. When this tissue is metabolized, it is not only a source of energy, but yields (through a reaction with oxygen from the air) 1,111 grams of water per 1000 grams of fat. In addition, they can draw upon water in their blood when needed.

The dromedary camel is one of the better-known members of the camel family. Other members include the llama, alpaca, vicuna and guanaco in South America and the Bactrian camel of Asia.