Camelidae (redirected from Camelid)

Camelidae [ka′mel·ə‚dē]

(vertebrate zoology)

A family of tylopod ruminants in the superfamily Cameloidea of the order Artiodactyla, including four species of camels and llamas.

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Camelidae 

a family of ruminant eventoed ungulate animals of the suborder Tylopoda. For different species the height at the withers varies from 70 to 210 cm. There are no horns. The upper lip is divided in two. The extremities are didactylous (the third and fourth digits), with cushion-like callused thick pads on the tarsus. There are no traces of the remaining digits; the metatarsal and metacarpal bones are fused with the corresponding bones of the third and fourth digits. The members of the family Camelidae are the only mammals whose red blood cells have an oval shape (as do those of birds and reptiles). There are two genera, Camelus and Lama. The guanaco, vicuña, and Bactrian camel are found in the wild. Camelidae are raised in Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America.