Sexual behaviour of the Arabian camel ( camelus dromedarius ) during pubertal development

Abstract

The significance of behavioural interactions during courtship and mating of 6 male Arabian 
camels were studied during prepubertal period. Testicular weight changes were also examined 
during the same period in slaughtered animals. The results indicated that young camels show 
distinct sexual responses from the age of 24 months. The average ages for the beginning of 
preparatory movements and precopulation behaviour were 112 and 153 weeks respectively. The 
average age of penile prepuce separation, erection of the penis and ejection of the soft palate 
were 126, 160 and 166.5 weeks respectively, while copulatory behaviour was observed at age of 
174.5 weeks. Testicular weight changes coincided with the increase in age from 17.5+2.1 g about 
one year to 53.1 g at puberty. The mean testicular weight of 12 mature camels was 135.4 ± 26.6 
g