Meet our Bactrian Camels

Bactrian Camels are a part of the Camelid family including Llamas, Alpacas and Camels. They have many adaptations to be able to survive in harsh conditions, they have 2 humps on their back which is filled with fat stores, they also have long eyelashes to keep dirt out of their eyes. Many people struggle with how to tell Dromedary Camels and Bactrian Camels apart, an easy way of doing this is by the number of humps they have, a 1 humped camel is a Dromedary Camel they look like a D shape if turned on their side where as a Bactrian Camel has 2 humps and if turned on their side they would look like a B.

Range

Wild Bactrian camels are native to the steppes of Central Asia, particularly Mongolia and China.

Diet

These camels are herbivores and mainly feed on grass, leaves, and other vegetation found in their arid habitat.

Lifespan

Bactrian camels can live up to 50 years in the wild and even longer in captivity with proper care.

Conservation Status

Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus), native to the deserts of Central Asia, are classified as domesticated rather than wild animals, but their wild relatives, the Wild Camels (Camelus ferus), are considered Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Our domestic Bactrian camels are important ambassadors for their relatives. The wild camel population has declined significantly due to habitat loss, competition with livestock, and the effects of climate change on their desert habitat. Fewer than 1,000 wild camels remain in the wild, primarily in the arid regions of China and Mongolia. They are more at risk of extinction than the Giant Panda! Conservation efforts are focused on protecting their remaining habitats and raising awareness about the species' critical status.

Did You Know?

  • Camels were used in the 4000 BCE in Arabia as pack animals due to their ability to travel far distances and transport valuables on the silk road which is a route used for trading goods, it spanned across 4000 miles and allowed traders to create a dynamic economy, allow cultural and political interactions between Eastern and Western worlds.

  • Bactrian camels in captivity aren't endangered but in the wild they are still critically endangered with only around 950 in the wild as of current.

  •  They will be seen to travel large distances through rocky mountains, arid deserts and sandy dunes. They can reach speeds of around 40mph and are even amazing swimmers.

 Come and see our Bactrian Camels

Visit Greenacres Animal Park to meet these fascinating creatures up close and learn more about their habitat and behavior.