The newest visitor to Dungeness Courte Memory Care in Sequim stands 8 feet tall and has a particular affinity for carrots.

Eli is a 9-year-old camel owned and cared for by Becky Northaven, who owns Duneach Farm off of Blue Mountain Road.

The dromedary — one of just 5,000 such animals in the United States, she says — is becoming a popular meet-and-greet animal on the peninsula.

“He’s a very precious member of our family,” Northhaven told her hosts at Dungeness Courte on Aug. 4.

Northaven and daughters/helpers Kellan, 11, and Ashlynn, 10, showed off Eli and answered dozens of questions last week from Sequim seniors.

“He’s very similar to a goat in diet: At home he gets hay like the horses,” Northaven said, though she noted Eli does like to snack on trees and the occasional rubber hose.

Eli is available for events. Northaven said she hopes to get a second camel so that she can start offering rides at events like the Clallam County Fair.

Reach Northaven at 477-0022 for more information or to schedule Eli for an event.