|
Mammal.
The Bactrian camel has two humps that hold fat, not water, to provide
energy during the winter months. They can go for days without drinking,
conserving water in their body cells and stomach. Living in areas that
are mostly grasslands, this camel can run as fast as a horse. A pillow-like
callus under the chest allows them to rest comfortably in the hot sand.
Their eyes are protected by long eyelashes and very thin eyelids, allowing
the camel to find its way in a desert storm. Small, hairy ears keep out
flying sand. They can close their nostrils completely or leave only a
small opening to breathe. |
| Scientific
Name |
Lifespan |
| Camelus bactrianus |
35-40 years |
| Diet |
| Herbivore. Shrubs, grasses. They prefer plants that are dry, thorny, salty or bitter, and they can drink brackish (somewhat salty) water with no negative effects. |
| Predators and
Threats |
| Humans. |
| Habitat |
| Arid plains and hills where water sources are few and vegetation is sparse; three small areas in Mongolia and China, Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey; about 2.5 million domestic Bactrian camels live in Central Asia. |
