A two-humped Bactrian camel in western Mongolia.

Bactrian camel in western Mongolia.

Creator: Alexandr frolov

Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0

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Species record

Bactrian Camel

Camelus bactrianus

Explore the Bactrian Camel (Camelus bactrianus) species record in The Ark Is Earth, including classification, habitat, distribution, conservation information, and sources.

Summary

The Bactrian Camel is the domesticated two-humped camel kept across Central Asian deserts and steppes. Its humps store fat, while its thick coat and efficient water use help it handle hot summers and very cold winters. Domestic herds provide transport, milk, meat, fiber, and work; the wild Bactrian camel is a separate species, Camelus ferus.

Classification in this archive

  1. Kingdom: Animals
  2. Phylum: Chordates
  3. Subphylum: Vertebrates
  4. Class: Mammals
  5. Order: Even-toed ungulates
  6. Family: Camelidae
  7. Genus: Camelus
  8. Species: Camelus bactrianus

Habitat and distribution

Selected documented locations — not a complete species range.

Habitat
deserts, steppe, farms
Selected regions
Asia
Selected countries
Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan

Conservation status

Conservation status not recorded.

Did you know?

  • Bactrian camels have two humps that store fat, not water.
  • Bactrian camels grow thick coats and shed them as the seasons change.

More images

A two-humped Bactrian camel walking in western Mongolia.

Bactrian camel in western Mongolia.

Creator: Alexandr frolov

Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0

View image source

Sources and attribution