The camels - the ocean liner of the desert - were whittled out of olive wood. They are being lead by a donkey. They all are adorned with Bedouin-like saddles adding a degree of realism to the setting. Whittling animals out of wood is a dying art. Hurry and add this to your collection - you never know when the 'last whittler' will buy the farm. No two carved animals are the same as the vein and wood pattern are all different with each carving. The camels are trained and housebroken and definitely low maintenance.