The Bactrian Camel (Camelus bactrianus) is a large even-toed ungulate native to the steppes of eastern Asia.
It is thought that the Bactrian Camel was domesticated sometime before 2500 BC, probably in northern Iran or southwestern Turkestan, and that this took place independently of the domestication of the Dromedary.
Nearly all of the estimated 1.4 million Bactrian Camels alive today are domesticated: the largest wild population known to survive is about 1000 animals in the Gobi Desert.
The only other surviving species of camel today is the Dromedary. The Dromedary is believed to have been domesticated around 4000 B.C. in Arabia. The Bactrian camel is a stalkier, hartier animal being able to survive the scorching desert heat of northern Iran to the frozen winters in Tibet [1]. The Dromedary is taller and faster, with a rider they can maintain 8-9 mph for hours at a time. By comparison a loaded Bactrian camel moves at about 2.5 mph [2].
Camels are very strong mammals with wide, padded feet. Thick leathery pads protect the knees and chest. The nostrils can open and close, protecting them from blowing sand. The ears are also lined with protective hairs. Bushy eyebrows and two rows of long eyelashes protect their eyes from sand. The mouth is extremely tough, allowing thorny desert plants to be eaten. Thick fur and underwool keep the animal warm during cold desert nights and also insulate against daytime heat. Bactrian Camels are over two metres (7 feet) tall at the hump and weigh in excess of 725 kg (1,600 pounds).
Bactrian Camels are herbivores; they eat grass, leaves, and grains. Many have been domesticated and are fed by people. The Bactrian Camel can drink up to 120 litres (32 US gallons) of water at a time.
Last updated: 10-15-2005 21:23:41
