Bactrain Camels
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The Bactrian Camel (Camelus bactrianus) is a large even-toed ungulate native to the steppes of eastern Asia.
The Bactrian camel has two humps on its back, in contrast to the dromedary camel which has one and are rugged cold-climate camels.
Bactrain Camels have two coats, the warm inner coat of down and a rough outer coat which is long and hairy.
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Bactrain Camels shed their fibre in clumps consisting of both coats which can be gathered and separated. Bactrain Camels produce about 7 kg (15 lb) of fibre annually. The fibre structure is similar to cashmere wool. The down is usually 2 to 8 cm (1–3 inches) long. Camel down does not felt (non-woven cloth that is produced by matting, condensing and pressing fibres) easily. The down is spun into yarn for knitting.
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Nearly all of the estimated 1.4 million Bactrian camels alive today are domesticated, however, in October 2002 the estimated 950 remaining in the wild in northwest China and Mongolia were placed on the critically endangered species list.
Bactrian Camels are over 2 metres (7 feet) tall at the hump and weigh in excess of 725 kg (1,600 lb).
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Bactrain Camels are herbivores, eating grass, leaves and grains and capable of drinking up to 120 litres of water at a time. Their mouths are extremely tough, allowing them to eat thorny desert plants.
Bactrain Camels are supremely adapted to protect themselves against the desert heat and sand, with wide, padded feet and thick leathery pads on the knees and chest, nostrils that can open and close, ears lined with protective hairs and bushy eyebrows with two rows of long eyelashes.
Thick fur and underwool keep the Bactrain Camel warm during cold desert nights and also insulate against daytime heat.
