Bactrian Camel
I.U.C.N status
International Union for Conservation of Nature
Identity card
Leaves, grass, seeds... Can also feed on meat and bones if no vegetation is available.
Did you know?
The Bactrian camel is perfectly adapted to arid environments, thanks to its two conical humps that store fat, serving as reserves of food and water. During periods of drought, it can convert this fat into water to survive. Its body is designed to withstand extreme conditions: its nostrils close during dust storms, and its thick eyelids and eyelashes protect its eyes.
Threats and conservation
It has been widely domesticated and the wild population is reduced to fewer than a thousand individuals today. The wild Bactrian camel (Camelus ferus) faces several threats: habitat loss due to agriculture, desertification and climate change, and poaching for its meat and skin.
Furthermore, extreme climatic conditions affect access to water and pastures, increasing the dangers for the species.
