Bactrian camel

Camelus bactrianus

TAXONOMY

Camelus bactrianus Linnaeus, 1758, Uzbekistan. No subspecies known.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

English: Two-humped camel; French: Chameau; German: Kamel; Spanish: Camello.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Measure an average of 7 ft (213 cm) tall at the hump and weigh about 1,800 lb (816 kg). The wild Bactrian camel has a sandy, gray-brown coat, rather than the predominately dark brown coat like that of the domestic Bactrian. Its body is small and slender, rather than large and bulky like that of the domestic Bactrian camel. The two humps of the wild Bactrian camel are small and pyramid-shaped, with a round base and a pointed end, while the two humps of the domestic Bactrian are distinctively large and irregular. Both Bactrians have very tough feet, especially adapted for crossing the rocky deserts of Asia.

DISTRIBUTION

Wild populations are restricted to three small areas in the Gobi desert of southwestern Mongolia and northwestern China. In contrast, the domestic Bactrian is widely bred in Mongolia and China.

HABITAT

Lives in arid plains and hills where there are scattered water sources and scarce vegetation. In these environments, temperatures may reach 100°F (38°C) in summer and -20°F (-30°C) in winter.

BEHAVIOR

Wild herds concentrate near mountains because it is where most springs are found, and snow on the slopes may at times be the only moisture available in winter.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Consists of shrubs, grasses, and forbs. In winter, these plants provide enough moisture for bactrians to go without drinking for several weeks, although a thirsty individual can consume up to 30 gal (114 l) of water in just 10 minutes.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

May be polygamous. Female Bactrians give birth at five years old. With a gestation period of approximately 406 days, the birth rate is two years between births and these usually take place during March and early April. Newborns can walk after two hours and can follow their mothers after 24 hours, but they reach independence when they are one year old. Life expectancy varies from 35–40 years.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Wild Bactrians are considered Critically Endangered, according to the IUCN Red List. The main threats it faces are heavy hunting and competition with domestic animals for water and pasture, as well as hybridization with domestic Bactrian stock. It is estimated that no more than 350 wild Bactrians survive in the Gobi desert. On the contrary, the domestic Bactrian has an estimated population of 2.5 million in Central Asia.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

Starting some 6,000 years ago, people in Mongolia began using the Bactrian camel to transport themselves and to carry burdens, as well as a source for food, clothing, and fuel.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: two-humped camel of the cold deserts of central Asia
  Synonym: Camelus bactrianus