Most animal rescues are home to domestic pets like dogs and cats, but at Rancho Grande Ojai, even camels like Albert can live out their days in bliss. In fact, Albert is the star of the show at the family-owned farm and animal sanctuary, and his social media fans are always discovering something new about him and his species.
In a fascinating September 10 TikTok video, Albert and his human family members showed their viewers the unique way camels walk up hills. I’ve truly never seen anything like it!
I was worried Albert had fallen when I saw the very first clip, but that’s just how smart camels take on stairs! It may look bizarre, but it actually makes a lot of sense after the farmers explained it. Even so, I caught myself watching this several times just to process the strange-looking skill.
“This is not something I thought I needed to know, but I’m glad I do,” a commenter wrote. “That was adorable.” Wasn’t it?
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Not only that, but it’s useful, too! Camels use their padded knees quite frequently, but the question still remains—how do these large animals get back down hills?
Rancho Grande Ojai explained, “They lean back slightly, keep their legs stiff and spread out for balance, and carefully place their padded feet so they don’t slip. Their wide, tough feet act like natural brakes, helping them descend steadily without needing to go onto their knees.”
Why Do Camels Walk on Their Knees?
By walking on their knees, camels can lower their center of gravity, reduce the weight on each leg, and maintain greater stability while climbing. They developed this skill after evolving in the desert for thousands of years, although it is just as beneficial in the American mountains as it is in African deserts.
When camels walk on their knees in the desert sand, they lower their center of gravity to avoid sinking in or slipping away. The callouses on their knees are perfectly adapted to protect them from scorching sand, but they do a great job helping them navigate rough and rocky terrain, too.
These unique animals are more versatile than many people realize, and this is just one reason why!
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This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Sep 17, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.