Riyadh: The camel’s hoof serves as one of the most prominent identifiers for camel owners, acting much like a unique fingerprint for each animal. Expert breeders can determine a camel’s age, sex, and health with remarkable accuracy just by observing its footprint.

According to Saudi Press Agency, Bandar Al-Mudhaifi, a camel owner, explained that the hoof’s shape and footprint depth are crucial indicators. A female camel’s hoof, for instance, is typically softer and narrower than a male’s, and it naturally widens and hardens with age. He added that tracking the prints also reveals the camel’s gait and speed-details vital for individual identification during grazing or competitions.

Dr. Fawzia Al-Salmi, a zoologist at Taif University’s College of Science, confirmed that the camel’s hoof is a mirror of its health condition. Sick or tired camels leave distinctive marks in the sand, making footprint tracking an ancient practice for field examination among herders. She emphasized that the skill of reading the hoof print represents a valuable aspect of ancient popular knowledge passed down through generations, underscoring the deep cultural connection between the Arabian camel and the Saudi desert environment.