Saudi Camel Breeds: The Living Heritage of the Desert

Picture this: a massive, jet-black beast striding out of the Empty Quarter, muscles rippling like sand dunes at sunset. That's the Majaheem (المجاهيم), the powerhouse breed that dominates southern regions.

These camels are built big—towering frames perfect for hauling loads or dazzling in beauty contests at festivals where they've snagged top prizes worth millions. And get this: they're milk machines too, pumping out high yields that keep Bedouin families going strong, proving the old Arab saying, "The camel is the mother of the Arabs" hits different when you're sipping fresh Majaheem milk at dawn.

Who needs Ferrari when you've got a golden Sufur (الصفر) or ivory Wodh (الوضح) blistering across an 8km track at 40 km/h? These elegant speed demons are festival favorites—prized for racing and shows where they outpace rivals from the UAE to Qatar.

Saudi Arabia's tracks, like those in AlUla or Taif, see thousands of these breeds thundering in events backed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, drawing 1.8 million fans in past editions and spiking camel prices in local markets.

Don't sleep on coastal champs like red-coated Saheli (الساحلي) or mountain toughs like Awadi and Haddana, thriving in Hijaz peaks. The Kingdom boasts 14 recognized breeds total, each tuned to its turf, from Shaele's reddish endurance to Shageh's compact power—genetic diversity that's got scientists buzzing about Saudi camels' edge in harsh climates.