Bactrian Camel - Peterborough Utilities Group

Bact
Bactrian Camel
Camelus bactrianus
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Animalia
Chrodata
Mammalia
Artiodactyla
Camelidae
Native to: Mongolia / China
Status: Critically Endangered
Less than 1000 wild Bactrian camels exist in the world, in China and Mongolia. The last
of the wild herds are facing a population size reduction of 80% within its next three
generations (estimated at 45 to 50 years). The wild herds compete with domestic stock
for food and with other livestock which makes them a hunting target. Mining and
pipeline development through their limited habitat also poses a threat to remaining
herds.
Appearance & Lifespan
The Bactrian camel stands approximately 2 m (6.56 ’) tall and 3 m (9.84 ’) long. It has
two humps on its back and can weigh up to 1000 kg (2204 lb). The Bactrian camel has
two toes on its large flat-bottomed feet which can spread widely to help the camel walk
on desert sand.
This camel’s coat is sandy beige to dark brown in colour and becomes thick and shaggy
in winter when desert temperatures can reach -30 ºC (-22 ºF); although they live in hot
desert climates, Bactrian camels are well adapted, rugged, cold-climate animals.
The slender nostrils of the Bactrian camel can be sealed and it has long eyelashes that
help to keep penetrating sand out during harsh desert sandstorms. Like other animals
of the same family, the Bactrian camel has a split upper lip with each part separately
mobile from the other.
Its lifespan is 15-20 years in the wild and 20-30 years in captivity.
Riverview Park & Zoo
1230 Water Street, Peterborough, ON. K9J 6Z5
Ph. 705.748.9301 Fax: 705.745.6866
Behavior & Reproduction
Females and young travel in groups of 10-30 and are led by one dominant male.
Females give birth to one young and rarely twins every two years after a gestation
period of 12-14 months. They can produce up to 12 young in their lifetime. The young
can stand and walk only a few hours after birth and stay with their mothers for their first
3-5 years. Male Bactrian camels reach sexual maturity at 5-6 years of age, females at
3-4 years.
Ecology & Conservation
The Bactrian camel’s diet consists of mainly leaves, grass, and shrubs but it can eat just
about anything (including thorns) when food is scarce. With a three-compartmented
stomach, camelids can regurgitate and re-chew ingested food, much like cows or true
ruminants.
In the zoo, Bactrian camels are fed alfalfa flakes, hay, ruminant pellets, apples and
carrots. They are also provided with salt blocks.
Each of the Bactrian camel’s humps weigh approximately 33 kg (73 lb). Tissue in the
humps can be metabolized as a source of energy which can allow a camel to survive for
about two weeks without water and one month without food.
Camels have been domesticated in Asia for over 3000 years. They have been used for
their meat, milk, fiber, and as transportation.
Riverview Park & Zoo
1230 Water Street, Peterborough, ON. K9J 6Z5
Ph. 705.748.9301 Fax: 705.745.6866