Description:

The plains camelope (Labiacamelus campus) is a cursorial austrocamel endemic to the Great Australian Plain. Camels are one of the main herbivores in Australia. The domestic dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) was introduced to the continent in 1840 A.D. as a beast of burden. Many camels became feral and populated the continent. Due to their desert speciation, they were able to adapt to the hot and dry conditions of Australia. Other even-toed ungulates (such as water buffalo and goats) did not survive these conditions and eventually went extinct on the continent. Being one of the only ungulates on the continent, they quickly diversified. This camel species is one of the smaller members of the subfamily. The head-and-body length of this mammal is roughly 140 to 160 centimeters, and the shoulder height is 100 to 120 centimeters. These camelopes weigh between 246 and 313 kilograms. They are generally dark brown with a white underbelly, but some individuals have a slightly reddish coat. These camels also have a thick prehensile lip that helps them graze on the tall grasses in their habitat. They also have one hump on their back, which is kept by all austrocamels.

Distribution:

These camelids inhabit the open grassland sections of the Great Australian Plain. They also primarily live in places with tall grasses. These habitats provide food and shelter from predators. They also populate certain parts of transitional semi-deserts on the border between the Great Australian Plain and the Great Australian Red Desert. 

Diet and Feeding:

The camelopes prefer feasting on tall grasses, shrubs, and the leaves of various bushes. These four types of plants make up roughly 77% of their diet. They also sometimes eat branches and shoots. These animals use their lips to grab onto plants. 

Social Behavior:

These animals live in large herds that typically number around 400 adult individuals. These herds generally have more female camelopes than males (typically having a 1:4 male-female ratio). The males often fight each other to claim a harem of females. They will bite each other and inflate their throat sacs to display their fitness to other males and the females of the herd. If a male establishes dominance over another male, about half of the losing male's harem will move to the winning male's harem. Herds are also fairly alert to predators and threats in their area. If one camelope notices a predator, it will produce a loud whail to alert the other members of the herd. The camelopes will then start to run in the opposite direction of the call. This behavior both means that the herd doesn't risk fracturing into smaller, easy-to-pick-off groups and prevents trampling of other camelopes.

Reproduction:

Males will mainly mate within their harem. Some males will sneak into other males' harems and mate with a single female. Males with harems will chase out these sneaky males. The gestation period is roughly 8 months. The calf is born fully precocial and is able to walk fifteen minutes after birth. The calf will feed from the mother for 8 to 9 months. Once the camel is weaned off milk, it will join another herd or harem.