The Dulla
Short answer: The dulla is a male dromedary camel's soft palate, which he inflates and pushes out of the side of his mouth as a pink, balloon-like sac during the rutting season. It comes with gurgling sounds and is used to attract females and warn rival males.
The footage shows camels displaying their dullas.
What should you know about The Dulla?
Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.
An inflatable soft palate.
Male dromedaries.
Video transcript: The Dulla: Male Dromedaries Push a Pink Balloon Out of Their Mouths
Did you know that Dulla is a large inflatable sack found in the throats of male dromedary camels, which they display during the mating season. When inflated, it protrudes from the side of their mouths, resembling a balloon. This behavior is both a visual and auditory signal used to attract females and assert dominance over other males. The Dulla helps amplify the camel's vocalizations, creating deep, gurgling sounds that are part of their courtship rituals. NOW YOU KNOW!
Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 22.5s Reel ·
The write-up
Male dromedaries push a pink balloon out of their mouths. It is part of their mating display.
- Exhibit A
What it is
An inflatable soft palate.
- Exhibit B
Who
Male dromedaries.
- Exhibit C
When
During rut.
- Exhibit D
Sound
Gurgling noises.
- Exhibit E
Purpose
Attract mates, warn rivals.
Questions people ask about The Dulla
What is the dulla?
Inflated.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (What it is) · Wikipedia: Dromedary
Which camels show it?
Rut.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Who) · Wikipedia: Dromedary
When?
Rut.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (When) · Wikipedia: Dromedary
What sound accompanies it?
Display.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Sound) · Wikipedia: Dromedary
Why?
Courtship.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Purpose) · Wikipedia: Dromedary
Test Your Knowledge
All quizzes →5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.
What is the dulla?
- The soft palate
- The tongue
- A stomach
- A lung
Show the answer
Answer: A. The soft palate Inflated. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (What it is) · Wikipedia: Dromedary
Which camels show it?
- Male dromedaries
- Female Bactrians
- Calves
- All camels
Show the answer
Answer: A. Male dromedaries Rut. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Who) · Wikipedia: Dromedary
When?
- Mating season
- Winter only
- At birth
- Never
Show the answer
Answer: A. Mating season Rut. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (When) · Wikipedia: Dromedary
What sound accompanies it?
- Gurgling
- Barking
- Singing
- Silence
Show the answer
Answer: A. Gurgling Display. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Sound) · Wikipedia: Dromedary
Why?
- Attract females, warn males
- Cool down
- Store water
- Eat
Show the answer
Answer: A. Attract females, warn males Courtship. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Purpose) · Wikipedia: Dromedary
Cite this case file
Easterling, Marcus. "The Dulla." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-381, last updated Nov 20, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-dulla/
Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-dulla/ · Last updated
Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-381-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-dulla/#DD-381-F01