PUBLISHED IN ,

Duke’s Famous Camel Statue Speaks

Nature, the camel, dreams of being in a GEICO commercial

Nature, left, stands with a statue of former Duke scientist Knut Schmidt-Nielsen, who studied the physiology of the camel’s nose, received the International Prize for Biology, and wrote the authoritative text on animal physiology. Nature can be found o
Nature, left, stands with a statue of former Duke scientist Knut Schmidt-Nielsen, who studied the physiology of the camel’s nose, received the International Prize for Biology, and wrote the authoritative text on animal physiology. Nature can be found outside the Biological Sciences Building on West Campus.
By Duke Today Staff

Name: Nature (of “The Scientist and Nature”)Position: Campus camelYears at Duke: 20

What I do at Duke: Some people say I just stand around, but I like to think it’s more than that. I’d argue I’m standing for advancements in research and biology. Get it? It’s because I’m standing all the time. 

If I had $5 million, I would: Have a few friends brought over from Africa to hang out with my pal Knut Schmidt-Nielsen and I. Maybe a zebra or a rhino. Definitely another camel. You humans are fun and all, but I can only pose for so many selfies with students and visitors passing by. It’d be nice to have someone else stand in. 

My dream job: GEICO spokesman. You’ve seen those commercials, right? Guy walks around a set for 20 minutes and they use computer-generated graphics to make his mouth move and talk to some human named Mike. I bet that camel has all the wheat and oats he can eat for a lifetime.

If someone wanted to start a conversation with me they should ask me about: Camel jokes. Love ‘em. Why do camels make good soldiers? Because they have “camelflage.” Nailed it. 

The best advice I ever received: Before I came to Duke, I spent some time in this warehouse waiting for my ride to Durham. All around me, the biggest names in statues you can imagine: David, The Thinker, Liberty. But they’re all replicas! I’m the real deal. Learned a lot those days while I waited. Be true to your authentic self.

What I love about Duke: These campus squirrels are hilarious.

When I’m not at work, I like to: I’m probably not getting a day off any time soon, but late at night, when campus is quiet and nobody is around to hear me, I can whistle a pretty mean tune of  “Fight, Blue Devils Fight.”

If I could have one superpower, it would be: Sitting. These days and nights are looooong. Have you seen these legs? That hump isn’t just full of air. At this point, I’d say the act of sitting would be a miraculous accomplishment for me. Keep dreaming, I tell myself.

The skills I bring to my work: You heard that part about my legs, right?

Favorite music: My Humps on repeat. Too easy?

A pet peeve: Cartoon camels or smoke. Who does this “Joe Camel” think he is, The Fonz?

----

April Fool’s! 

Want to learn more about amazing faculty and staff who make Duke so special? Check out the Blue Devil of the Week series to learn more about your colleagues and coworkers.

Find more April Fool's stories here.