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National Animal
The national animal of Kuwait is the camel. Single hump.
Head and body length: 10 feet. Shoulder height: 6-7
feet. Weight: 1000-1500 pounds. Body is carried on long,
slender legs ending in two toes beneath which is a
broad, callous and elastic pad. Neck and head are both
elongated. Upper lip is deeply cleft. Short tail. Eyes
are heavily lashed. Ears are haired. Nostrils are
slit-like. Coloration is fawn or beige. Coat is smooth
and shorter than that of the Bactrian camel, but equally
woolly.
National Emblem
The first emblem of Kuwait was used during the reign of
Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in 1921. It was a picture
of two crossed red flags. Then, in 1940, it was changed
to be a picture of two crossed triangular flags, with a
falcon above them, all in a frame with the crown at the
top.
In 1956, in the reign of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem a new
sky-blue emblem was used, showing silver and blue sea
waves with a full-colored boom ship. In the center there
was a helmet and a full-colored falcon spreading its
wings, and in the background, two crossed Kuwaiti flags.
After Kuwait became independent in 1961, the old flag
was changed, and a new emblem was designed in 1962. The
present emblem of Kuwait is a falcon with outspread
wings embracing a dhow (Boom) sailing on blue and white
waves. It is a symbol of Kuwait's maritime tradition.
National Flower
In 1983, the plant, Rhanterum epapposum, or locally
called Arfaj became the State of Kuwait's national
flower. Prominent in the central and northeastern part
of the desert, this small aromatic shrub displays
silvery branches and small green leaves in autumn and
spring; during April it has a profusion of golden yellow
flowers. In the past this plant not only served as
fodder for the Rhem gazelle and domestic animals, but
also was a source of fuel. Today camels and sheepherders
use this nutritious forage as a source of water during
the dry spells.
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