Fun Facts!

The ‘humps’ on the Bactrian camel are reserves of fat that can be converted to water and energy when food gets scarce.

One hump or two? Here’s a simple way to remember which camel is a Bactrian and which is a Dromedary: if you rotate the first letter of the name so it sits flat, you will get the number of (visible) humps.

Bactrian Camel

Camelus bactrianus

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

This is a “two-hump” camel often 7-9 feet in height. A thick, shaggy, dark brown to beige coat covers the camel in cold weather and is shed when the temperature rises. Longer hair hangs from its neck which looks like a beard. They are well equipped for protection from harsh, blowing desert winds and sand with bushy eyebrows, a double row of eyelashes, ears lined with hair and the ability to close nostrils and lips tightly. Their tough, two-toed feet help them to cross the rocky arid landscape of Asia and still travel well through snow or sand.

HABITAT

They are found in a wide area of Asia north of the Himalayan Mountains where there is arid climate. Bactrian camels can endure temperature extremes, as high as 120 degrees F, and as low as up to -60 degrees F.

DIET IN THE WILD

They can eat just about anything. They are naturally herbivores (plant-eaters), but if vegetation can’t be found they will eat bones, skin, and even the flesh of animals. And watch out desert campers: the Bactrian is the “goat” of the desert and will eat rope, sandals, even tents!

BEHAVIOR

In the wild, Bactrian camels are found alone or in small herds of 5-30 in grazing areas. Herds typically contain 1-2 males and several females. They are more likely to roam during the day, but will also roam at night.

STATUS IN THE WILD / CONSERVATION EFFORTS

The wild Bactrian camel is an endangered species, with as little as 1,000 still in the wild. Bactrian camels were once thought to be extinct but a 1957 expedition found some in the Gobi desert. Since then perhaps as many as 700 have been observed in Mongolia with another 200 in China. Domestically, there are more than 2,000,000 Bactrian camels living and working with and alongside humans.

LIFE SPAN

They can live up to 50 years in the wild, and have a shorter life span in captivity.