Camelus bactrianus
Range
The camels that live in the deserts of Mongolia and China have two humps. They are also tamed (domesticated) and used as pack animals in Asia and Australia.
Habitat
They are found on dry grasslands, in canyons and in mountainous areas. These are the camels of the Gobi desert.
Body Traits
Their bodies are 10 feet long. They are 7 feet tall. The Bactrian camel’s two humps are filled with fat. Their humps sag after a long time without food and water. That is because their body breaks down the fat in their hump when it needs it. Like all camels, the Bactrian have wide feet for sand walking and eyelashes and tiny, thin nostrils for protection from blowing sand.
Habits
Camels can go for a long time without water. When they finally reach water they can drink a large amount at one time.
Diet
They eat grass, shrubs and leaves and other plants that are not good food for most mammals. They are herbivores.
Predators
No known predators.
Reproduction
They are pregnant for 12–15 months (gestation). They have one baby.
Lifespan and/or Conservation Status
They can live for 40 years. They are considered endangered.
Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Subphylum: Vertebrata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Camelidae
- Genus: Camelus
- Species: Camelus bactrianus