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TIMESTAMPS

Bactrian & Dromedary Camels March 2009

Fact Summary Taxonomy and Nomenclature Distribution and Habitat Physical Characteristics Behavior and Ecology Diet and Feeding Reproduction and Development Diseases and Pathology Managed Care Population and Conservation Status Web Resources Bibliography

Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
        Class: Mammalia
             Order: Cetartiodactyla (even toed ungulates, whales and dolphins)
                  Family: Camelidae
                       Genus: Camelus (Asia and Arabia)
                            Species: Camelus bactrianus (domestic two-humped Bactrian) Asia
                            Species: Camelus dromedarius (one-humped dromedary) Arabia
                            Species: Camelus ferus (wild two-humped Bactrian) Asia
                       Genus: Vicugna (South America) (see Kadwell et al. 2001, Marin et al. 2007)
                            Species: Vicugna vicugna (vicuña)
                            Species: Vicugna pacos (alpaca)
                       Genus: Lama (South America)
                            Species: Lama glama (llama)
                            Species: Lama guanacoe (guanaco)
                  Family: Suidae (pigs)
                  Family: Tayassuidae (peccaries)
                  Family: Hippopotamidae (hippopotamuses)

• The wild Bactrian Camel is the ancestor of the Bactrian camel and dromedary (both domestic animals)
  • Embryos of both the Bactrian camel and dromedary have 2 humps (humps fuse during embryonic development in the dromedary)
  • Domestication occurred 4000 – 2000 B.C.
  • Selective breeding has produced 97 different dromedary breeds and 16 different Bactrian breeds
    (FAO, 2008)
• Wild Bactrian camels in the Gashun Gobi (Lop Nur) area, and Mongolia avoided domestication because of their isolation and instinctive shyness.
• Skin samples from Wild Bactrian Camels show 2 or 3 distinct genetic differences to the domestic Bactrian camel and their DNA has a 3% base difference.
• Dromedaries and Bactrian camels can produce viable hybrids (called bukhts) in Kazakhstan.
  • They are larger than either parent.
  • They have a single hump.
• Scientists have also created a “Cama” a camel-llama hybrid
• The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (2003) ruled that the name for the wild species is valid.
  • Usually the wild animal is named first - but Linnaeus knew only the domestic forms.
  • Camelus ferus is the officially recognized by the IUCN.
  • Minority opinion (Grubb, 2005) designates it as a sub-species - Camelus bactrianus ferus.
    

• Earliest camel fossils were rabbit-sized
• All Camelids evolved in North America some 40-45 million years ago (Cui et al 2007)
• Two distinct tribes of camelids survive today: Camelini and Lamini (Cui et al 2007)
• Researchers estimate ancestors of today's Bactrian and Dromedary camels diverged from ancestors of Lamas, Alpacas, Vicunas and Guanacos:
  • Using molecular clocks - 25 million years ago
  • Using fossil record - 11 million years ago
• By 10 million years ago Alpacas diverged from Vicunas, Guanacos, and Lamas (Cui 2007)
• Bactrian and Dromedary camels may have diverged from each other around 8 million years (Cui 2007)
• Camelids migrated in separate waves to South America and Asia (Franklin 2011)
  • 4 species today in South America: Vicuna, Guanaco, Llama and Alpaca
  • 2 or 3 species today in Asia: (Franklin 2011)
    • Wild Bactrian and Bactrian (Asian) may be separate species or merely subspecies of C. bactrianus

• Early camels ranged from Asia to Eastern Europe. Some crossed into Africa, expanding across the northern area and as far south as northern Tanzania.
• Wild Bactrian camel is found in 3 separated habitats in China, and one in Mongolia.
  Click for IUCN distribution map
  1. Gashun Gobi, Gansu, China;
  2. Taklamakan Desert, Xinjiang, China (this population may now be extinct);
  3. Northern slopes of Arjin Shan mountains and adjacent areas in Lop Nur Wild Camel National Reserve, China;
  4. Great Gobi Section A Strictly Protected Area in Mongolia, and adjacent areas in China (Reading et al. 1999, Mix et al. 2002, Wang et al. 2002).
  5. In Mongolia, the species is found in the Trans Altai Govi Desert (Mix et al. 2002), including the foothills of the Edren Range to Shiveet Ulaan, and the Hükh Tömörtei Range to the state border (Mix et al. 2002, Yadamsuren et al. 2004, Yadamsuren & Dovchindorj 2005).
• Domestic animals have been introduced throughout the arid and semiarid regions of the world.
  • Domestic Bactrian : Cold desert regions of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China.
  • Dromedary: Hot arid deserts of Africa and Middle East Most in Somalia and Sudan.
    • A large feral population of dromedaries exists in Australia

Past and current distribution of wild Bactrian camels in Mongolia and China (Schaller, 1998). Click map to enlarge.	Normal distribution and points of introduction of domestic camels (Wilson, 1998). Click map to enlarge.

Habitat:

• Desolate areas, with sparse vegetation: Plants include: Haloxylon, Caragana, Salsola.
• Rocky mountain massifs, to the flat pavement-like desert; and sand dunes.
• Poplar fringed oases; vast washed-out plains and high sand dunes.
• In some areas, no fresh water, it has adapted to drinking salt water slush (domestic camels will not touch).
• 60 - 70 deg C (140 - 160 deg F) in summer and -30 deg C (-22 deg F) in winter

• Camels have been selectively bred over many years. Hybridization has occurred in the ancestry of both domestic species.
• Unlike their llama/vicuna/guanaco relatives, all species have:
  • At least one hump on their backs
  • Long curved necks
  • Broad, large feet
  • Tufted tails
  • Four teats rather than two
  • Annual molt 

Wild Bactrian	Bactrian	Dromedary
2 humps (small, pointed and conical) 5.6 ft at shoulder 992 lbs (450 kg) Small and lithe relative to domestic Bactrian Slender legs, narrow feet – no callosities on knees Body looks laterally compressed (Mongolian name is ‘havtagai’ which means ‘flat’) Hair on upper lets, neck, top of humps and tail is long and dark brown Hair on body is tan or grayish	2 humps (large & irregulary shaped - may become flaccid and flop to one side in adult) 6 feet at the shoulder - Shorter than dromedaries 1320-2200 lbs (600-1,000 kg) Hair is long and dark – Annual molt Legs short and stout Broad 2-toed feet cushioned by fat	1 hump – more elastic – shrinks with age rather than flops 6.5 feet at the shoulder - Lighter frame and longer legs 880- 1,325 lbs (400-600 kg) Light-colored short hair Longer, slender legs

Feet

• Unique among mammals.
• Other ungulates walk on tips of toes covered by hoof.
• Camel Foot is large broad ‘elastic’ pad – hooves are 2 fingernail-like toenails on front of pad.
• Wild Bactrian’s hoof is claw-like.

• Composed of fibrous tissue and fat (Not water storage).
• Available nutrition determines size and shape - almost disappear with starvation.
• When this tissue is metabolized, it acts as a source of energy.
• Concentration of body fat minimizes heat-trapping insulation throughout the rest of body.

• Slit-like - can be closed to protect against blowing sand.
• Special nasal cavities moisten are taken in. Trap moisture going out.

• Long lashes protect against blowing sand.
• Bony arch over eye acts as sun shield.
  

• Small and rounded – Hairs protect from blowing sand.

• Prehensile lips – upper is split in 2 halves.
• Incisors and canines grow though out life.

• Red blood cells are oval (round in other mammals) Can flow quicker in a dehydrated state.
• Urine is more concentrated than other animals (less water loss).
• Dung is dry.
• The kidneys and intestines are good at retaining water.
• Can tolerate loss of water equal to over 30% of body weight (Franklin 2011)
  • Most mammals die if they loose 15%
• Have only 25% the number of sweat glands as found in cattle; camels only sweat when body temperatures reach 41-42° C (105.8-107.6° F)
• Long legs keep then further from the hot ground.
• Long eyelashes and ear hairs, form a barrier against blowing sand.
• Slit-like nostrils can close.
• Wild Camel (not domestic) is able to drink salt water slush when fresh water is unavailable.
• Able to endure temperature extremes: -40° F in January to over 100° F in summer.

• Domestic camels are maintained in a semi-wild state.
  • Obtain food from wild vegetation – but watered by man.
  • Unguarded camels will return to a familiar well.
• Wild camels are extremely shy. Acute eyesight allows them to spot and flee from danger 2-3 miles away.

• Browse or graze 6-8 hours each day. Take another 6 to 8 hours to chew their cud.
• Impoverished desert plant life requires constant work to maintain health.
• Previous seasonal migrations to green pastures are now curtailed by human settlements.

• Form small groups of ~6 (2-15 animals).
• Gather at oases and small springs.

• Dromedaries may blow out (spit) cud when excited.
• Bactrian camels do not deliberately spit (may if abused).
• Little aggressive behavior except among males during breeding season.
• Canines used as weapons.
• Extreme fights can kill both combatants.
• Adults may push with lowered head and neck.

Communication

      Displays: Rutting male stretches to hold head higher than a riva
      Vocalization: Rutting cry is a “blo-blo-blo*
      Olfaction/Scent Marking: Male rubs back of head against shoulders (occipital gland). Secretions tend to excite males

Locomotion

• Normal gait is a “pace”
  • One foreleg and one hind leg on same side of body move forward together.
• Horses, dogs and bears can also “pace” but more often “trot” (foreleg and diagonally opposite hind leg move together).
• If necessary, can travel 93.2 miles (150 km) in 15-20 hours.
• Can run up to 40 mi/hr in short bursts (65 km/hr) Sustained speed of 25 mi/hr (40 km/hr)
• Domestics have been known to swim.
  • Observed swimming in Australia.
  • Giraffe is one of the few animals that can’t swim.

• Integral part of Nomad culture – still exits in Sahara
  • Domesticated by nomads 3000 – 4000 years ago
  • Meat, milk, hides, wool
  • Females can produce milk for several years after birth
    • Bactrian = 5 liters/day
    • Dromedary = 20 liters/day
  • Males used for transport and riding – Easily Carry 440 pounds (200 kg)
    • Can pull more than 1 ton with a wheeled cart
  • Because of convex back – able to carry more than a horse.
    • Load is limited by the weight it can rise with.
• Used in combat because of their ability to scare horses (Horses are spooked by their smell)
  • U.S. Army camel corps was stationed in California in the 1800s.
    

Food

• Ruminants (cud-chewing mammals) usually have 4 stomachs (occasionally 3).
  • Plant material partially broken down in the 1st two stomachs, then regurgitated as cud and chewed again.
  • Microbes (bacteria, protozoa, and fungi) in other stomach chambers assist in digestion.
  • Other ruminants: antelopes, sheep, goats, cattle, giraffes and bison and deer.
• Camels graze (like sheep) and browse (like antelopes).
• Move while feeding no matter how rich or poor the vegetation (do not degrade desert flora).
• Mainly grasses, leaves and twigs of shrubs and trees - all plants of the desert.
  • Green shoots of saxaul.
  • Stems and foliage of salsola, ephedra and Zygophyllum.
  • Species include: Haloxylon, Caragana, Reaumuria and Salsola in Mongolia.
• At oases: poplar, willows and reeds
• Recognize poisonous plants growing in the area and will not eat them.
  • In new, unfamiliar area, may eat poisonous plants
• Can eat sharp, thorny plants other animals can’t eat (saltbush).

• Able to go without water for a long time (generally thought to be 4-5 days). (Wilson 1998)
  • When dehydrated, body temperature can lower to 34°C to as high as 41°C.
  • Produce small amounts of concentrated thick urine.
  • Kept in same conditions, cattle lose water 3 times faster than camels
• If the camel is kept near a water source or river, it may drink daily.
• In cold weather, and when green feed is available, may not drink water for months
• A thirsty camel in a hot dry season can drink up to 200 liters of water in one day. (Gauthier-Pilters 1981)

     Male:

• Rut confined to cooler / wetter seasons (greatest availability of food)
• In the Gobi – peak rut is in late January / February
• Rising testosterone levels produce the Dulaa (sack-like extension of soft palate).
• Male blows air through the dulaa pushing it outside the mouth (Looks like a red balloon) creats a mating call (low gurgle using saliva).
• Dulaa’s size indicates virility to female
• Mark territory with secretions from poll glands (located on back of neck, between ears).
• Rub necks on any solid object.
• Urinate on tail, and swish it over their back ( Urine contains female-attracting pheromones).
• Exhibit aggression toward other males.
• Become extremely active - collect a harem with as many as 10-20 females (Bannikov)

     Female:

• Estrus: In breeding season, female is receptive 3-4 days, followed by 10 non-receptive days.
• Females bleat.
• Approaches male, presenting hind quarters.
  • Urinates constantly.
  • Flips tail up and down – short quick movements.
• Dulaa is present in females but never extruded.
  

• Only ungulate that copulates in a “sitting” position.
• Reproduction rate: 2 year interval (minimum).

• ~1 year (12-14 months).
• No reports of twins.
• Most young born at end of March / April.

• Female becomes restless, and separates from the other animals.
• Calf size dependent on the size of its parents. ~35 (25 kg – 52 kg) males larger than females.
• Front legs of calf appear first - then head.
• Calf’s drop to the ground breaks umbilical cord.
• Only ungulates that do not lick and clean baby. Sniff extensively and help the calf find milk.
• Mother is protective – won’t accept orphaned young (these must be hand-raised)

• Precocious young – stand and walk shortly after birth.

• Starts to eat grass around 2 - 3 months old.
• Weaning at 1-2 years.

• 40-50 years.

• Camel’s hostile environment is also unfavorable to many diseases.
• Wild adults are hardy but high infant mortality.
  • Passive immunity is not transmitted via the placenta and must be acquired after birth.
  • Colostrum carries antibodies to diseases the mother has been exposed to.
• Domestic Problems
  • Surra (trypanosomiasis) caused by very small parasites, called trypanosomes, which live in the blood.
• Camel Pox (skin lesions) highly contagious- in dry climates it usually cures itself.
• Wide range of parasitic diseases (internal and external).
• Respiratory disease complex (several viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasitic worms are involved).
• Many reproductive disorders.
  • High abortion rates.
  • Males: cryptorchidism.
  • Females: cystic ovaries.
    

• A small population of introduced camels, dromedaries and Bactrians, survived in the Southwest United States until the 1900s.
  • Imported from Turkey.
  • Part of the US Camel Corps experiment and used as draft animals in mines.
  • Escaped or were released after the project was terminated.
• Camel milk is a staple food of desert nomad tribes - richer in fat and protein than cow milk.
  • Cannot be made into butter in the traditional churning method. – must be soured first, churned, and a clarifying agent added.
  • The milk can readily be made into yogurt.
  • Many healthful properties - used as a medicinal product in India.
  • Bedouin tribes believe it has curative powers.
• The Wild Camel Protection Foundation has established a captive breeding program in Mongolia.
  • Only fifteen wild Bactrian camels are currently in captivity in China and Mongolia.
  • Females can produce 1 young every two years.
  • Artificial insemination may be necessary with such small numbers.

• ISIS captive population
• FAO data – WRI EarthWatch database : More than 22 million worldwide
  • Majority are dromedaries (more than 15 million) – most in Somalia (7million), Sudan (4 million), Ethiopia and Kenya also have substantial numbers
  • 700,000 feral animals in Australia are becoming a problem
• IUCN data - Wild Bactrian: In 2004, ~ 600 in China ~ 350 in Mongolia, (down from ~650 in 1985)

• 'Great Gobi Reserve A' established in Mongolia in 1982 and in 2000 - These are the herds completely isolated and unable to hybridize with domestic Bactrians
• 'Arjin Shan Lop Nur Nature Reserve' was established in China in 2000. Opening of a second Nature Reserve in China is also needed.
• The Wild Camel Protection Foundation has established a captive Wild Bactrian Camel breeding program in Mongolia.
  • Only fifteen wild Bactrian camels are currently in captivity in China and Mongolia.
  • Females can produce 1 young every two years.
  • Artificial insemination may be necessary with such small numbers.
• IUCN Status:
  • 1960's: Rare
  • 1970's - 1994: Vulnerable
  • 1996 - 2000: Endangered (Criteria: A1cd, C2a)
  • 2001 - Critically Endangered

• In Mongolia, 25 to 30 Wild Bactrian Camels are being killed annually when they migrate across the international border into China (subsistence/sport hunting by locals).
• In China in the new Arjin Shan Lop Nur Nature Sanctuary, up to 20 Wild Bactrian Camels are killed annually by miners and hunters for subsistence use.
• Wolves are their principal non-human predator.
• Drought has reduced number of oases, making wolves more successful predators.
• For 45 years, this area of the Gashun Gobi was the nuclear test site area of China.
  • Wild Bactrian Camel survived and is apparently breeding naturally.
• Other threats include:
  • Highly toxic illegal mining
  • Habitat used for gas pipe line
• Domestic Bactrian camels and goats have also been introduced to the designated areas and hence compete for grazing and water.
  • Species could be wiped out if their natural habitats in China and Mongolia are destroyed.
  • Threat of hybridization
• Low infant mortality due to harsh conditions.

• Animal Info
• FAO Animal Health Care Manual
• USDA: Information Resources on Old World Camels: Arabian and Bactrian 1941-2004
  
• Wild Camel Protection Foundation
• WRI: EarthTrends searchable database
• ZipCode Zoo

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