You’ve probably heard a cow moo or a dog bark. But unless you’ve spent some serious time in the Gobi Desert or trekking through the Australian Outback, you probably have no clue what sound does a camel make. Honestly, it’s not just one noise. It’s a whole chaotic orchestra of gurgles, screams, and weirdly human-sounding groans that would fit right into a sci-fi horror movie.
People usually assume camels are just silent, stoic ships of the desert. They aren’t.
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The Gurgle and the "Dulla"
If you’re standing near a male dromedary camel during the breeding season, you’re going to hear something that sounds like someone drowning in a bowl of thick soup. It’s called "gurgling," but that word doesn't really do it justice. It's deep. It's rhythmic. It's honestly a bit gross.
What’s happening is that the male camel inflates a large, pink sac in his throat called a dulla. He pushes it out the side of his mouth so it looks like a giant, fleshy balloon. As he does this, he makes a low, bubbling sound to tell every other camel in a three-mile radius that he’s the boss. This isn't just a random noise; it's a display of biological dominance. If you ever see this in person, stay back. A gurgling camel is a grumpy camel.
What sound does a camel make when it’s actually annoyed?
Most of the time, the sounds people hear from camels are complaints. They are the Karens of the animal kingdom. If you ask a camel to stand up while carrying a heavy pack, it’s going to let you know exactly how it feels.
They grunt. They groan. They make this high-pitched, strained squeal that sounds like a rusty door hinge being forced open. It’s not just about the volume; it’s about the attitude. According to Dr. Julian Skidmore, a leading camel reproduction and physiology expert at the Camel Reproduction Centre in Dubai, these vocalizations are highly specific to the animal's emotional state. A groan might mean "I’m tired," but a sharp, sudden "ro roar" (a mix between a roar and a snort) usually means "Get away from me right now."
The "Bellow" – Not Just for Lions
You might think of roaring as a lion thing, but camels do it too. Sort of.
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When a camel is separated from its herd or its calf, it emits a long, haunting bellow. It’s a loud, vibrating sound that carries over vast distances. It’s lonely. It’s powerful. It sounds a bit like a foghorn if the foghorn were made of vocal cords and spit.
Do they really "spit"?
Everyone asks about the spitting. Technically, it’s not spit. It’s worse.
When a camel is truly pissed off, it brings up stomach contents—basically half-digested green slime—and sprays it. The "sound" associated with this is a wet, huffing sneeze. It’s a warning shot. If you hear that chuff sound, you have about half a second to move before you’re covered in the foulest-smelling substance known to man. It’s a defense mechanism, plain and simple. They don't want to fight; they want you to leave.
Communicating with the Herd
Not everything is a scream or a gurgle. Within the herd, camels use a series of low-frequency hums. These are much softer.
- Mother-calf bonding: A mother camel will make a soft, rhythmic humming sound to locate her calf in a crowd. It’s gentle. It’s one of the few "nice" sounds they make.
- The "Nicker": Similar to a horse, but more gravelly. They use this when they see food or a familiar handler.
- The Sigh: Yes, camels sigh. If they’ve had a long day of walking through sand dunes, they will drop to their knees and let out a massive, vibrating exhale. It sounds exactly like a human who just finished a 12-hour shift.
Why do they sound so human?
There’s a reason why sound designers for movies like Star Wars or The Mummy use camel recordings. They have a vocal range that mimics human frustration. When a camel groans, it’s not a melodic bird-chirp; it’s a guttural, chesty vibration. It’s raw.
It’s also important to remember there are two main types of camels, and they don't sound exactly the same. The one-humped Dromedary (found in Africa and the Middle East) tends to be more vocal and "gurgly." The two-humped Bactrian camel (from Central Asia) has a slightly deeper, more booming voice. The difference is subtle, but if you’re a camel herder, you can tell them apart in the dark.
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Misconceptions and the "Silent Camel" Myth
There is this weird myth that camels are silent because they live in the desert and need to conserve energy. That’s nonsense.
They are social animals. In the wild, camels live in harems or bachelor groups. You can't have a social structure without noise. They argue. They play-fight. They complain about the heat (probably). While they aren't as constant with their noise as a flock of sheep, they are far from quiet. If you ever visit a camel market like the one in Al Ain, the noise is deafening. It’s a wall of sound—bellows, screams, and that constant, bubbling gurgle.
Actionable Tips for Being Around Camels
If you find yourself on a desert safari or visiting a farm, understanding what sound does a camel make is actually a safety skill. It’s not just trivia.
Listen for the "Chuff"
If the camel starts making a wet, sneezing sound, it’s loading its "spit" cannon. Step to the side. Never stand directly in front of a camel that is huffing.
The "Dulla" Warning
If you see a male camel with a pink balloon hanging out of its mouth making a bubbling sound, do not approach. This is a high-testosterone state. They can be extremely aggressive and territorial during this time. Even experienced handlers give them space.
Watch the Ears
Sound and body language go together. If a camel is groaning and its ears are pinned back against its head, it’s not just complaining; it’s contemplating a bite. And camel bites are no joke—they have powerful jaws and sharp canine teeth.
Check the Context
A bellowing camel might just be looking for its friends. If you hear a loud, echoing call, look around. Usually, there’s another camel off in the distance answering back. It’s their version of a "where are you?" text.
The Quiet Approach
Camels have excellent hearing. You don't need to shout. Most camels respond better to low-volume, calm human voices. If you want a camel to calm down, stop talking loudly and mimic their low-frequency humming or just stay quiet.
Understanding these animals requires looking past the "curious desert creature" trope and seeing them for what they are: highly intelligent, very vocal, and occasionally very grumpy mammals. Their sounds are their language. Once you learn to "speak camel," or at least understand when they’re telling you to get lost, you’ll have a much deeper appreciation for these massive survivors.
The next time someone asks you what sound does a camel make, tell them it sounds like a mix between a boiling pot of oatmeal, a lawnmower, and a person who just stubbed their toe. That’s about as accurate as it gets.