Bactrian Camel

Conservation Status:
Endangered - USFWS

Description:
Bactrian camels grow up to 7 feet tall, and can weigh 1,000-1,800 pounds.  They have two humps on their back.  Their fur is thick and shaggy to insulate them against the temperature extremes of the desert.  They have thick eyelashes and hair lining their ears, to protect them from blowing sand.  Heavy protruding eyebrows shade their eyes from intense sun. They have 2 toes on each foot, and their feet are broad and flat to support them on soft sand.

Range:
Gobi Desert in Asia

Habitat:
Deserts and grassy steppes.

Diet:
In the wild, they forage for grass, herbs, branches, and leaves.  In the zoo, our camels eat brome, grass, alfalfa hay, and grain.

Life Cycle:
Bactrian camels breed in February.  After a 13-month gestation period, the female gives birth to a single foal.  The foals nurse for 1-1 ½ years.  Young males are driven away from the herd when they are about 2 years old.  They will join bachelor herds or live alone.  Young females stay with their mother’s herd.  The foals are full-grown when they are about 5 years old.  They can live 30-50 years in captivity. 

Did You Know?

·        Bactrian camels are very well-adapted for life in the desert.  They have wide feet that allow them to walk easily on sand.  Their eyelashes protect their eyes from blowing sand, and they can also close their nostrils to keep sand out of their nose.  A split upper lip connected to their nostril slits helps channel any moisture lost through respiration back to their mouth, thus conserving body moisture.  Their thick fur allows them to survive temperatures from -16^oF – 120^oF

·        Their humps store fat, which helps them to survive when food is scarce.  After several days without food, the hump will begin to shrink as the camel’s fat reserves are used up. 

·        Camels get most of their water from the plants that they eat.  If food is available, they can go up to 10 months without drinking water.  When water is available, they can drink up to 25 gallons at once.

·        Camels are important as beasts of burden in the desert, and they also provide wool, milk, meat, and fuel (from manure).

·        Competition with humans and domestic animals for scarce water and food, and hunting for meat and hides, has led to their decline in the wild.

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