Bactrian camels are large members of the Camelid family. They are often confused with Dromedary camels, who only have one hump and live in hot, desert climates. In contrast, Bactrian camels have two humps and are native to the cold, mountain and high desert climates of Central Asia.

 

Their humps are filled with fat, not water. These fat stores are used by the camel for nourishing the body during times of little water or food. As the fat reserves are burned, the humps lose their rigidity and can actually fall over to the side. The two humps create a saddle in between that humans can sit on to ride these animals.

 

Bactrian camels can reach over seven feet high at the shoulder and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Their lifespan in captivity is up to 40 years, with wild camels almost certainly living shorter lives.

 

These camels have long eyelashes and nostrils that can seal to keep blowing sand from their eyes and nose. They have a split upper lip for grabbing leaves and bark from trees. Their feet have two large toes that spread apart for easy travel over shifting sand.

 

These camels also grow thick, shaggy winter coats for survival in cold climates. In the spring, the coat is shed in large sheets which gives the camel a very messy appearance. Their summer coat is much less dense for warmer temperatures.

 

Bactrian camels live in the steppes and desert plateaus of the Gobi desert in Mongolia and China (Xinjiang province). The climate in their range can vary from 122 degrees F in the summer to 25 degrees below zero in the winter. They have an amazing ability to adapt to these fluctuating temperature ranges.

 

The wild Bactrian camel is an endangered species, with fewer than 1,000 remaining in the wild. In contrast, there are over 2,000,000 domestic Bactrian camels.

 

There is debate as to whether wild Bactrian camels are a completely separate species from their domestic counterparts. Bactrian camels are plant eaters or herbivores. In their harsh desert climate, they have learned to be opportunistic and take advantage of any available food. They prefer grass, leaves, bark and shrubs if available. They will eat thorns, dry vegetation and salty plants that most other animals would avoid.

 

The fat stored in their humps provides nourishment for periods where there is no food or water available. In many areas of their habitat range, there is no available fresh water for drinking. In addition to their ability to go without water for long periods, wild Bactrian camels have learned to tolerate drinking saltwater slush in some areas.

 

They are capable of carrying heavy loads and can go for weeks or even months without water by utilizing the fat reserves in their humps. They can carry loads of up to 600 pounds over rough terrain at a pace of close to 40 miles per day.

 

When they do have access to water in the wild, they will drink large quantities at once. Bactrian camels were domesticated in an area called Bactria, near present-day Iran, over 4,500 years ago. They were domesticated for use as beasts of burden, or pack animals. Male camels have teeth that look like the teeth of meat-eating animals. The front canine teeth are long and sharp.

 

Males use these teeth when they fight each other for breeding rights. They nip at each other, trying to force their opponent to the ground. This occurs during breeding season in late winter or early spring. Successful breeding is followed by a gestation period of up to 14 months. Over a year after breeding occurs, one camel is born (two are very rare). This young camel stays with the mother until it is weaned at between one and two years of age. Females are able to successfully breed at three or four years old.

 

The wild Bactrian camel is endangered due to human impact on their environment, hybridization with domestic camels, sport hunting, predation by desert wolves and destruction of camels due to their competition with livestock herds for limited food resources. Wild Bactrian camels live in small groups that look for places to eat in the Gobi desert of Central Asia. They migrate to the northern part of their range in spring and return southwards in fall. They sleep at night in open spaces and forage for food during the day.

 

They can run at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour if necessary. They have good senses of sight and smell, along with being fairly good swimmers. Male camels have teeth that look like the teeth of meat-eating animals. The front canine teeth are long and sharp. Males use these teeth when they fight each other for breeding rights.

 

Author: Laura S

Published: 02/2007

 

Bibliography:

1. Internet Access, WWW.GOOGLE.COM, January 24, 2007 URL (http://www.google.com)

2. Internet Access, www.wikipedia.com., January 27, 2007 URL (http://www.wikipedia.com)

3. Encyclopedia Access, No author’s name, “Bactrian Camels” The World Book Encyclopedia, 2000 ed., Yr 1895