TWO-HUMPED camel (Camelus bactrianus)
CAMELS (Camelus)
Even-toed ungulate of camel family which today has 2 species:
BACTRIAN CAMEL – two-humped camel and DROMEDARY – single-humped camel.
Weight: 400-1000 kg
Height: 1,8 -2,3 m
Life Span: 40-50 years (walrus – 30, elephant – 70, human – 79)
Gestation: 15 months
IN THE WORLD
* Camels and humans have a common history of at least 4,500 years. In the past, the number of camels indicated the status and wealth of the owner.
* They were the main means of transport on the famous Silk Road.
* There are currently 2 million Bactrian camels and 15 million dromedaries in the world.
* Used as labor, vehicle, also for milk and meat production. Hump fat is useful in cooking.
* Manure – for fertilizing and fuel.
* Wool – for clothes, blankets, carpets, tents. Leather – for shoes, water bags, etc.
* Camel races and beauty contests are still going on. Cheating is detected in them – camel’s lips and nose are improved with botox injections.
* In Australia thera are currently around 100,000 wild camels, descendants of one-humped camels.
FACTS
* Accumulate fat in the humps – reserves can reach 38 kg.
* While walking, takes a step with both feet of one side, so the rider is rocked quite hard.
* Can drink 100 liters of water in 10 minutes.
* Almost do not sweat, therefore they are suitable for desert hiking.
* Able to change the body temperature from 34 to 41 ℃ in order to retain water.
* In extreme conditions can survive up to 6 months without water and food.
* Able to run at speed up to 68 km/h.
* During a sandstorm they are able to almost completely close the nostrils.
* Eyelashes in two rows and thick eyebrows protect the eyes from the sand.
* Can get angry and spit.
TWO-HUMPED camel (Camelus bactrianus)
Distribution: Central and East Asia – India, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, China.
in the Rakši since 2008 – imported from Germany.
FACTS ABOUT TWO-HUMPED CAMEL
* Do not freeze at -40℃ frost and do not heat up at +40℃ glow.
* Males attract females by grinding teeth and inflating cheeks.
* Humps stand straight up when they are full of fat stock.
* At the time when they throw off their winter coat, they look shabby.
* have only one natural enemy – the gray wolf.
* Good swimmers, have a very good vision and excellent sense of smell.
* Only 600-1000 individuals live in the wild.
* They are the only terrestrial mammals that can drink salt water without any problems.
