Bactrian Camel

Bactrian Camels, native to the Gobi Desert in China and the Bactrian steppes of Mongolia, grow a shaggy coat in the winter for protection from the freezing cold and shed the coat during the hot summer. The desert where they reside has drastic seasonal temperature changes which forces the camels to be extremely adaptable. To preserve water, they don’t have many sweat glands and therefore don’t perspire often. To block harsh desert winds, sand, and dust, they have a double row of long eyelashes and nostrils that can close.

They are herd animals, their herds typically range from 6-20. Camels are not terretorial animals and different herds occassionaly cross paths and move together. Calves live close to their mothers for 3-5 years until they reach sexual maturity and then they separate. Female camels are very invested in their parenting duties.

The humps on the back of camels do not store water, they actually store fat. The fatty tissues are used to store energy for when nutrients are lacking. Camels that are well nourished have humps that stand upright and appear plump and firm and can live up to a couple weeks without eating or drinking.

You can remember that Bactrian camels have 2 humps, just as the capital letter B has two humps!

Camels have been used for centuries for wool, milk, meat, leather, and even dung, which can be used for fuel, and are known as the “Ships of the Desert”.

There are two species of Bactrian Camel – Wild and Domesticated. There are currently 650 wild Bactrian Camel in China and about 450 in Mongolia.

How can we help? The wild version of Bactrian Camels are critically endangered due to mining, hunting, and increased predation due to drought. The restoration of water points and management of vegetation are needed to help the struggling population. Co-existence with wild camels and herds of domestic animals is also needed as humans continue to expand. One reason for the decline of camels is climate change and wild and domestic camels are competing for water and food.

Bactrian Camels at African Safari Wildlife Park

We have four Bactrian Camels that call our Park home. Their names are: Boggie (white colored Male), Meili (brown Female with a white face), Chilea (brown colored Female), and Laing (white colored Female).

Diet: Eat mostly grasses and low-quality desert vegetation, but will even eat fish if they needed to.