Kharai swimming camel Gujarat mangrove camels Salt-tolerant camel breed Dariya Vara Unt Camel milk production Kutch camel breeds Rare Indian camels Camel wool uses Coastal camel adaptation
Animal Breed Camel Breed NBAGR Registered Breed

Kharai Camel: Gujarat’s Swimming Mangrove Grazers | Breed Guide

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Kharai camels drink saline water humans can’t tolerate!

Kharai swimming camel Gujarat mangrove camels Salt-tolerant camel breed Dariya Vara Unt Camel milk production Kutch camel breeds Rare Indian camels Camel wool uses Coastal camel adaptation

Kharai Camel Breed

Conservation Status Not specified (Population: 4,110 in 2012)
Scientific Classification
  • Domain: Eukaryota
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Artiodactyla
  • Family: Camelidae
  • Genus: Camelus
  • Species: Camelus dromedarius
Breed Type Multi-purpose (Milk, Draught, Transport)
Alternate Names Kharia, Dariya Vara Unt (Sea-going Camel)
Origin Kutch, Gujarat (“Kharai” derives from ‘Khara’ meaning salty, referring to its saline mangrove diet)
Breeding Tract
  • Primary: Kutch district (45,000 sq.km)
  • Coastal Focus: Lakhpat, Abdasa, Mundra & Bhachau talukas
Geographical Range
  • Longitude: 68°07′ to 71°46′ E
  • Latitude: 22°44′ to 24°41′ N
Main Uses
  • Milk production
  • Draught/Transport
  • Border Security/Police services
  • Tourism
Physical Traits
  • Color: Grey, Dark Brown, Light Red, Light Brown, Black, Dark Red
  • Size: Medium (smaller than Kachchhi camel)
  • Neck: Characteristically thick
  • Chest Pad: Short (doesn’t touch forelegs when walking)
  • Coat: Smooth, soft long hair (no wool)
  • Horns: Absent
Morphology (Avg.)
  • Height: 165.54 cm (Male), 181.09 cm (Female)
  • Body Length: 151.67 cm (Male), 179.59 cm (Female)
  • Heart Girth: 183.33 cm (Male), 193.38 cm (Female)
  • Weight: 345.14 kg (Male), 428.53 kg (Female)
  • Birth Weight: 40.8 kg
Performance
  • Age at First Parturition: 51.72 months (~4.3 years)
  • Parturition Interval: 33 months
  • Milk Yield: 1,444 kg/lactation (range 979-2,079 kg)
  • Milk Fat: 3.62% (range 1.2-7.7%)
  • Fleece: 0.8 kg/year (3.19 cm staple length, 37.5µ diameter)
Management
  • System: Extensive/Nomadic
  • Feeding: Grazing on mangroves and saline vegetation
  • Monsoon Pattern: Lives 3-5 km offshore on islands for 2-3 months
  • Seasonal Movement: Swims to creeks for mangrove grazing during low tide
  • Diet: Mangroves, Salvadora persica, Suaeda sp. shrubs
Unique Adaptations
  • Excellent swimmer in seawater
  • Tolerates water with TDS up to 10,000 ppm
  • Resistant to skin diseases including dermatitis
  • Produces premium quality hair for textile use
Population
  • 2012: 4,110 (Camel Breeders Association & Sahjeevan census)
The Rajasthan Express: Kharai Camel Breed Details
Kharai swimming camel Gujarat mangrove camels Salt-tolerant camel breed Dariya Vara Unt Camel milk production Kutch camel breeds Rare Indian camels Camel wool uses Coastal camel adaptation

Meet India’s only swimming camel! Discover the Kharai breed – salt-tolerant, mangrove-grazing marvels from Gujarat. Learn about their milk yield, swimming skills, and conservation.

THE RAJASTHAN EXPRESS
Kharai swimming camel Gujarat mangrove camels Salt-tolerant camel breed Dariya Vara Unt Camel milk production Kutch camel breeds Rare Indian camels Camel wool uses Coastal camel adaptation
Kharai swimming camel Gujarat mangrove camels Salt-tolerant camel breed Dariya Vara Unt Camel milk production Kutch camel breeds Rare Indian camels Camel wool uses Coastal camel adaptation

Rakesh Kumar

Hello, my name is Rakesh Kumar. Currently, I am working as a Livestock Inspector in the Rajasthan Government Animal Husbandry Department. In the year 2024, I appeared for my first government examination and secured selection in my very first attempt with an impressive 684 rank, which is a matter of great pride for me.
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