These camels earned their common name from an ancient historical region of Bactria (nowadays Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan).
They are the largest living camel and are signature by two humps on their back. Those humps are made up of fat rather than water. They have a wooly coat that varies in color from sandy beige to dark brown, and their shaggy winter coat can fall away when the temperature rises to adapt to a fluctuating temperature that can be up to 37.8°C (100 °F) in summer and as low as -28.9°C (-20 °F) in winter.
Bactrian camels also have sealable nostrils, bushy eyebrows, and long eyelashes to protect them from dust in sandstorms. These adaptations enabled the travel of caravans on the Silk Road.
Distribution
China
Kazakhstan
Official estimate
MongoliaDid you know?
- Eating snow regularly to fulfill their water needs and rarely sweat to conserve water.
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
