FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
If your child is inquisitive about the animal world, facts about the Bactrian camel will surely draw their attention towards this striking mammal with two humps. The Bactrian camel, (Camelus bactrianus), also known as the domestic Bactrian camel, is one of the three surviving species of camels; the other two being the dromedary camel (Arabian camel) and the wild Bactrian camel.
Distributed across the rocky deserts and steppes of East and Central Asia, these camels are believed to have originated and evolved in the North American region many million years ago. The wild Bactrian camels, a close relative of the domestic ones, are a critically endangered species.
Bactrian camels have two humps to store fat for sustenance when energy and water supply are low. They have a thick furry coat, double rows of long eyelashes, bushy eyebrows, and thick, large footpads to survive and navigate in brutal locales.
Want to know more about the domestic and wild Bactrian camels? Then read on!
Bactrian camels are hoofed, ruminating (cud-chewing) mammals.
The Bactrian camels are large mammals belonging to the family Camelidae.
The exact population of domesticated Bactrian camels vary but they are abundant in number. The wild Bactrian camels are listed by IUCN as critically endangered with an estimated 1000 surviving members of the species.
Bactrian camels live in the grassy steppes or desert regions of Asia. The wild ones are mostly concentrated in remote areas of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia and China.
The Bactrian camels inhabit regions of Central Asia, stretching across from Afghanistan to the steppes of Mongolia and the Gobi Desert. They have three distinct habitats in Northwest China: Taklamakan Desert, Lake Lob, and the Altun Shan range. Their habitat varies from arid deserts and rocky mountains to sand dunes and stony plains. The climate of these regions can range from very cold to very hot. The camels usually cluster around sources of water.
The Bactrian camels are pack animals and live in groups of 6-20. They have been domesticated for centuries and can carry a weight of 370-550 lb (170-250 kg).
The average lifespan of Bactrian camels is 20-40 years.
Bactrian camels usually reach reproductive maturity at three to five years. The males are polygynous (can mate with any female in the herd) and the females are induced ovulators (ovulate upon stimulation by mating). The gestation period ranges from 360-440 days resulting in one, and rarely two offspring.
The wild species of the Bactrian camels is critically endangered. The governments of Mongolia and China have made efforts for the conservation of the species by setting up the Great Gobi Reserve A (Mongolia) and the Lop Nur Wild Camel National Nature Reserve (China). The domesticated Bactrian camel population is quite large.
Bactrian camels have two humps on their backs and a long-haired coat that's typically dirty grey or dark brown in color. The coat is especially thick around the head, neck, forelegs, humps, and tail regions. They have two rows of long eyelashes, a divided upper lip, and even-toed feet with padded, leathery soles.
The cuteness of Bactrian camels comes from the characteristic cleft of their upper lip, giving them a sort of pouty appearance.
Bactrian camels have an exceptional sense of sight and smell. They communicate through pheromones (chemicals affecting animal behavior) and vocal signals such as groans, high-pitched squeaks, and deep moans.
Bactrian camels are on an average 7 ft (2.13 m) tall and their head and body length range between 7.3-11.3 ft (2.25-3.45 m).
Bactrian camels rarely move fast but speeds of up to 40 mph (65 km/hr) have been documented.
The body mass of Bactrian camels ranges between 661.3-1521.2 lb (300-690 kg), almost the same as that of a dromedary.
Female camels go by the name of cow and males are called bull.
A baby Bactrian camel is called a calf.
Bactrian camels are primarily herbivorous, thriving on desert vegetation comprising of dry, bitter, salty, and thorny plants. Those in the zoo eat a mixture of hay and grain.
Bactrian camels are not known to be dangerous but the dominant males tend to be aggressive towards intruding males during the mating season.
Camels are not really considered 'pets', although domesticated Bactrian camels are used as beasts of burden.
Malnourished Bactrian camels have sideways leaning and smaller humps. But well-nourished camels have firm and upright humps.
Double rows of eyelashes prevent sand and dust particles from entering the camel's eyes.
These camels have minimum sweat glands, an anatomical adaptation to conserve body fluids.
Wild camels and their relatives are different from other mammals in having oval-shaped red blood cells.
Only the wild species of the Bactrian camel is critically endangered due to extensive poaching and their numbers are fast declining.
In light of Bactrian camel vs dromedary facts, Bactrian camels have two humps to store fat and to store water, unlike their one-humped Arabian relatives. While both can go a long time without water and food, the Bactrian camels are less aggressive than the dromedaries. Contrary to the Bactrian camel habitat, dromedaries are found in the Middle East and Africa.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Bactrian Camel coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.