In 2003 International Commission According to zoological nomenclature, I decided to divide the wild and domesticated forms of the Bactrian camel. Latin name Camelus bactrianus was reserved for domestic animals, while wild camels were given the name Camelus ferus. Active development of natural gas and oil production, development of new fields, general pollution environment, sports and commercial hunting- these are not all the factors that led to a sharp drop in the number of the Bactrian camel. Over the past three generations, the global population has declined by about 80%. Crossing with the domestic camel also played a negative role. According to scientists, every year wild population The number of Bactrian camels is reduced by 25-30 individuals. As of 2002, only 800 Bactrian camels remained in the wild.
WHERE DOES IT LIVE?
Bactrian camel lives in Central and Central Asia, some areas of the Asian part. Another name for the Bactrian camel is Bactrian, it comes from the name of the ancient Asian region of Bactria and is used mainly in cases where they talk about domestic Bactrian camels.
HOW TO FIND OUT
The two-humped camel is larger and more massive than the one-humped camel. Its height together with humps reaches 2.7 m, and average weight- 500-600 kg. He has a dense, wiry build. Elastic, erect humps are a good sign of the animal’s fatness. The distance between the humps is usually within 30 cm, so a person can easily fit in this comfortable hollow. A camel does not have hooves as such; its limbs end in calloused claws. The wool has a brownish-sandy tint. It is quite long and thick. Due to the fact that each wool is hollow inside, wool has low thermal conductivity. Twice a year, in spring and autumn, the Bactrian changes its fur outfit. At this time he looks very sloppy and unkempt.
LIFESTYLE AND BIOLOGY
The Bactrian camel is a very hardy and resilient animal. It perfectly tolerates temperature changes characteristic of sharply continental climate, Maybe for a long time do without water and be content with rough, low-nutrient food. The only thing that is not suitable for an animal is dampness. They live in herds of 5 to 20 animals. Each herd has a male leader, several females and young animals.
Puberty occurs at the age of five to eight years. The rut occurs in the fall; during this period, males demonstrate their strength and superiority in every possible way, herd females into groups and constantly control their behavior. On the back of the camel's head there are glands, with the secretion of which it marks the territory by bending its neck and touching the ground with the back of its head. A female can give birth to a baby once every two years, with pregnancy lasting about 13 months. From the first moments of life, the baby camel follows its mother; it remains next to her, breastfed, for about another year and a half. Interestingly, two-humped and one-humped camels can interbreed with each other, producing viable offspring. However, males born from representatives of two different types, are no longer capable of becoming parents.
The Bactrian camel is perfectly adapted to feeding on steppe and desert plants. Ephedras, solyankas, onions - this is not the entire list of what Bactrian tastes. Animals need water to live; in their habitats they are strongly attached to reservoirs and springs. Large groups camels accumulate after rains on the banks of rivers or at the foot of mountains, where temporary floods form. In winter, animals make do with snow to quench their thirst, thus restoring fluid reserves in the body. Wild individuals, unlike domestic ones, can drink salt water.
The main enemies of the Bactrian camel are the tiger and the wolf. In addition, he is highly susceptible to various diseases.
The Bactrian camel was domesticated around 2500 BC. e., and the process occurred independently in several countries. Its exceptional endurance has made it the main pet of many Asian peoples. The wild camel was first described as a species in 1878 by the famous Russian explorer N. M. Przhevalsky.
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF
Kingdom: Animalia.
Phylum: Chordata.
Class: Mammals (Mammalia).
Order: Artiodactyla (Artiodactyla).
Family: Camelids (Camelidae).
Genus: Camels (Camelus).
Species: Bactrian camel (Camelus ferus).
The two-humped giant of the entire camel family is different unique ability survive in conditions that are destructive for other living beings.
Reliability and benefits for humans have been made camel since ancient times, a constant companion of the inhabitants of Asia, Mongolia, Buryatia, China and other areas with a dry climate.
Features and habitat of the Bactrian camel
There are two main varieties Bactrian camels. Titles the few wild camels in their native Mongolia are called haptagai, and the common domestic camels are called Bactrians.
Wild representatives are listed in the Red Book due to the threat of extinction of the last hundred individuals. I wrote about them for the first time famous explorer N.M. .
Domesticated camels were depicted on the ancient ruins of palaces dating back to the 4th century. BC. The number of Bactrians exceeds 2 million individuals.
Before today camel- an indispensable transport for humans in desert conditions; its meat, wool, milk, even dung have long been used as excellent fuel.
Breeding Bactrians is usually for residents of rocky, desert areas with limited sources of water, and foothill areas with sparse vegetation. Where you can often find a dromedary camel.
Small rainfalls or river banks attract wild camels to watering places to replenish their body supplies. In winter they make do with snow.
Khaptagai travel long distances, up to 90 km per day, in search of food and especially water sources.
The size of the male Bactrian giants is impressive: up to 2.7 m in height and body weight up to 1000 kg. Females are slightly smaller: weight up to 500-800 kg. Tail 0.5 meters long with a tassel.
Upright humps reflect the satiety of the animal. When hungry, they partially heel.
The legs are adapted to move on loose surfaces or rocky slopes; they have cloven feet on a wide callus pad.
In front is a claw-like shape or something like a hoof. Calloused areas cover the animal's front knees and chest. Wild individuals do not have them, and their body shape is leaner.
The large head is mobile on a curved neck. Expressive eyes are covered with double rows of eyelashes. During sandstorms, they close not only their eyes, but also their slit-like nostrils.
The upper hard lip, characteristically forked among camelids, is adapted for rough food. The ears are small, almost invisible from a distance.
Thick coat color different colors: whitish to dark brown. The fur is similar to that of polar bears or reindeer.
Empty hairs inside and a lush undercoat help protect against high and low temperatures.
Molting occurs in the spring, and camels“going bald” due to rapid hair loss. After about three weeks, a new coat grows, which by winter becomes especially long, from 7 to 30 cm.
The accumulation of fat in the humps of up to 150 kg not only serves as a supply of nutrition, but also protects against overheating, since Sun rays most affect the back of the animal.
Bactrians are adapted to very hot summers and harsh winters. The main need for their living is a dry climate; they tolerate dampness very poorly.
Character and lifestyle of the Bactrian camel
IN wildlife camels They tend to settle down, but constantly move across desert areas, rocky plains and foothills within large marked areas.
Khaptagai move from one rare water source to another to replenish their vital supplies.
Usually 5-20 individuals stay together. The leader of the herd is the main male. Activity manifests itself during the day, and in the dark the camel sleeps or behaves sluggishly and apathetically.
During hurricane periods it lies for days; in hot weather they walk against the wind for thermoregulation or hide in ravines and bushes.
Wild individuals are shy and aggressive, unlike the cowardly but calm Bactrians. Khaptagai have keen eyesight and, when danger appears, they run away at speeds of up to 60 km/h.
They can run for 2-3 days until they are completely exhausted. Domestic Bactrian camels perceived as enemies and feared on a par with tigers. The smoke from the fire terrifies them.
Researchers note that size and natural forces do not save giants due to their small minds.
When attacked by a wolf, they do not even think about defending themselves, they just scream and spit. Even crows can peck at animal wounds and abrasions from heavy loads, camel shows his vulnerability.
In an irritated state, spitting is not a release of saliva, as many believe, but contents accumulated in the stomach.
The life of domesticated animals is subordinate to humans. In case of wildness, they lead the image of their ancestors. Adult sexually mature males can live alone.
IN winter time camels It is more difficult for other animals to move through the snow. They also cannot dig up food under the snow due to the lack of true hooves.
There is a practice of winter grazing first, tedding snow cover, and then camels, picking up the remaining food.
Bactrian camel feeding
Rough and low-nutrient food forms the basis of the diet of two-humped giants. Herbivorous camels feed on plants with thorns that all other animals will refuse.
Most species of desert flora are included in the food supply: reed shoots, leaves and branches of parfolia, onions, coarse grass.
They can feed on the remains of animal bones and skins, even objects made from them, in the absence of other food.
If the plants in food are succulent, then the animal can survive without water for up to three weeks. If a source is available, they drink on average once every 3-4 days.
Wild individuals even consume brackish water without harm to their health. Pets avoid it, but they need salt consumption.
After severe dehydration at one time bactrian camel can drink up to 100 liters of liquid.
Nature has endowed camels ability to endure long periods of fasting. The scarcity of food does not harm the condition of the body.
Excessive nutrition leads to obesity and organ failure. Camels are not picky about household feed; they eat hay, crackers, and cereals.
Reproduction and lifespan of the Bactrian camel
Sexual maturity camels occurs around 3-4 years of age. Females are ahead of males in development. In the fall comes marriage time.
Aggression is manifested in roaring, throwing, foaming from the mouth and constant attacks on everyone.
To avoid danger, male domestic camels are tied and marked with warning bands or separated from others.
Males fight, hit the enemy and bite. Rivalry causes injury and may result in death in such a battle if the shepherds do not intervene and protect the weak.
Wild Bactrian camels V mating season they become bolder and try to take away domestic females, and sometimes kill males.
Pregnancy of females lasts up to 13 months, in the spring a calf is born weighing up to 45 kg; twins are very rare.
Within two hours the baby is following his mother independently. Milk feeding lasts up to 1.5 years.
Caring for the offspring is clearly manifested and lasts until puberty. Then the males leave to create their own harem, and the females remain in their mother’s herd.
To enhance qualities and dimensions, crossing different species is practiced: hybrids of one-humped and two-humped camels— BIRTUGAN (male) and MAYA (female). As a result, nature left one hump, but extended along the entire back of the animal.
Lifespan Bactrian camels in nature is about 40 years. At proper care homemade ones increase lifespan by 5-7 years.
Every person knows that a camel is a “ship of the desert.” No one has yet been able to replace this beautiful animal in the vast sandy expanses. The main attribute of a camel is, of course, its hump. Many people mistakenly assume that the camel carries water in it; this is not true. In fact, fat accumulates in the humps (up to 190 kg), which the camel uses if necessary. A camel can exist without water and food for a long time and feel great, but at the same time it loses weight up to 40% of its body.
There are two types of camels: two-humped (Bactrians) and one-humped (dromedaries). Dromedaries live in Africa, Asia, Arabia, India, and Turkmenistan. They are used for transport in the desert and as a source of meat, wool and milk. Bactrians live in China, Mongolia, Kalmykia, and Kazakhstan. These camels are also used in households.
Camels live about 30-40 years and they live in harems, which makes it much easier to care for their offspring. When it comes to females, these cute animals become very aggressive. But not all camels live in harems; sometimes you can also find solitary camels.
Camels mainly live in deserts, and the question immediately comes to mind: what do camels eat? These animals feed on plants. At the same time, the camel’s body is designed in such a way that this animal can use thorny plants (for example, camel thorn), inedible for other animals, and even mimosa branches, the needles of which can easily pierce the sole of a boot. Camels can also drink bitterly salty water.
If you cross a Bactrian and a Dromedary, the resulting hybrids are called Nars. Such offspring are stronger and more resilient than their parents.
Perhaps not the best, but still a video about camels.
Bactrians:
Camels are smart, strong and very hardy animals. Their body is perfectly adapted to life in dry steppes and waterless deserts. The long, thick coat helps to escape the scorching sun during the day and to keep warm at night.
Due to the structural features of the stomach, a camel can go without water for quite a long time. But after a long waterless diet, he is able to drink up to 120 liters of liquid. Moreover, this may be bitter-salty water, which is often found in deserts and steppes and is unsuitable for other species of animals.
Appearance of a camel
The animal's eyes are protected from contact with fine particles sand with long thick eyelashes arranged in two rows. On the camel's nostrils there is also thick hairline which prevents dust and sand from getting inside. And during a strong sandstorm, a camel can completely close its nostrils.
The animal's two-toed feet are covered with calloused pads, which allows it to feel comfortable when moving on hot, loose sand and sharp stones. In addition, there are calluses on the camel’s knees and chest; they protect it from pain when lowered to the ground.
Up to 120 kg of fat can accumulate in the humps located on the animal’s back, which helps it survive for a long time without food and water. But, if a camel can live quietly without food for about a month, then without water it can live for about two weeks.
Stages of development
A pregnant female camel carries a baby for 13–14 months. He is born weighing up to 14 kg, sighted, and within a couple of hours after birth, he begins to walk. At two months of age, the baby camel begins to eat on its own. plant foods, but despite this, it feeds on mother’s milk more than a year. At the age of five, a camel reaches sexual maturity.
Types of camels
In nature, there are two types of camels: dromedary (one-humped) and bactrian (two-humped). However, their difference is not only in the number of humps.
The dromedary has a slimmer build. Its height at the withers reaches 230 cm with an average weight of 500-800 kg. The body of the dromedary is covered with short hair of a brown-sand color, but there are other types of coat colors (red, light or dark).
As for the two-humped camel (Bactrian), it distinctive feature is a more massive body structure. Its height at the withers reaches 250 cm, with a body length of up to 270 cm and a weight of up to 800 kg. The Bactrian's coat is thick and long, predominantly light yellow in color.
Benefits for humans
Currently, camels are considered domestic animals and are increasingly rare in the wild. They are very valuable for humans, as they provide milk, wool, leather and meat. However, the main advantage of camels is their ability to walk long distances across the shifting desert sands with heavy bales on their backs. They are capable of covering 30–40 km daily, while carrying bales weighing 250–300 kg.
Brief information about the camel.
Order - Artiodactyla / Suborder - Callopods / Family - Camelids / Genus - Camels
History of the study
Bactrian camel, or Bactrian (lat. Camelus bactrianus) - largest representative of the camelid family (Camelidae), belonging, along with the dromedary camel (dromedary), to the genus of camels proper (lat. Camelus). In addition to the presence of two humps and bigger size and weight, the two-humped camel differs from the one-humped camel on average in having a much thicker coat. Both camels are closely related species that form viable, fertile crosses.
Spreading
In the past, the wild camel apparently occurred over a wide area of much of Central Asia. It was widespread in the Gobi and other desert regions of Mongolia and China, reaching to the east as far as the Great Bend of the Yellow River, and to the west to modern central Kazakhstan and Central Asia (remains of wild camels are known from kitchen waste found there during excavations of settlements 1500 - 1000 years BC).
Now the habitat of the khaptagai is small and fragmented - there are 4 isolated areas in Mongolia and China. Specifically, in Mongolia, the wild camel lives in the Trans-Altai Gobi, including the foothills of the Edren and Shivet-Ulan ranges, to the border with China. In China, the main habitat of wild camels is in the area of Lake Lop Nor. Until recently, the camel was found in the Taklamakan Desert, but it may have already become extinct there.
Appearance
Domestic and wild Bactrian camels differ in color and thickness of fur, body type and shape of humps. Wild camels are lighter in color, slimmer, and have smaller and sharper humps than domestic ones. The humps are covered with thick hair in the cold season, and bare in the warm season. Shedding occurs unevenly, and the old fur falls out in whole pieces. Each hump can store up to 36 kg of fat, which, when oxidized, releases water into the more than the weight of fat consumed. When fat reserves are consumed, the humps become flabby. Camels have 34 sharp teeth.
No hooves. There are two big toes on each foot, resting on a callous thickening of the skin lying on the keratinized sole. Two large claws protrude from the sole. Such limbs are adapted to walking on rocky deserts and soft sand. The legs are thick, strong and knobby, with well-developed knee calluses on the hind legs. There are also calluses on the chest, elbows and heels. The neck is long and curved. Grows on the throat and neck long wool(up to 25 cm), somewhat similar to a beard. Winter wool is very shaggy and warm. The body is round, the neck is long, the head is elongated. The ears are small, rounded, overgrown with hair. The tail is long with a tassel at the end. The lips are tough, which allows camels to eat thorns. Upper lip forked. The eyes are large with two rows of long eyelashes that protect the animal from winds and sandstorms. The eyebrows are thick and protect the eyes well from the bright rays of the sun. During sandstorms, camels close not only their eyes, but also their slit-like nostrils. A stomach with several chambers that help in processing rough food - first a portion of food is swallowed without chewing, then the partially digested food (rumination) is regurgitated by the camel and chewed thoroughly. To conserve water reserves, the Bactrian camel's kidneys (due to its highly elongated nephrons) can highly concentrate urine. Gallbladder absent.
Camels have oval red blood cells, which allows them to a short time drink a large number of water.
The length of the coat (except in places where long hair grows) does not exceed 5 cm. The density of the coat depends on the habitat.
The color will range from dark brown to light beige. The length of the body with head is 2.7-3.6 m, the length of the tail is 35-55 cm, the height at the withers is 1.8-2.3 m. The camel's footprint is up to 30 cm in diameter. The weight varies depending on when the camel drank. Females 377-517 kg, males 367-422 kg.
Reproduction
Both males and females become sexually mature at the age of 3-5 years, although this period may vary in one direction or another. Males on average mature somewhat later than females, sometimes even at 6 years of age. In any case, in males, clearly expressed signs of sexual dimorphism appear starting from 3 years of age.
The rut of Bactrian camels occurs in the fall. At this time, males behave very aggressively. They attack other males and even try to mate with them, constantly roar loudly, run and rush about; foam comes out of their mouth. Animals make sounds similar to muttering and a sharp, drawn-out whistle. During the rut, dominant males herd females into groups and do not allow them to disperse. In this state, a male camel can be dangerous to humans and animals. Male domestic camels are often tied or isolated when signs of the rut occur for safety reasons. In Mongolia, rutting camels kept on free grazing wear warning red bands around their necks. Males not considered suitable for breeding stock or intended only for work (especially pack transportation) are usually castrated. But it is not recommended to approach unneutered males during the rut unless necessary, and working with them in general can be difficult. Rutting males often engage in fierce fights with each other, during which they crush the enemy with their necks, trying to bend them to the ground and knock them down. Less often, camels use their teeth (usually grabbing the opponent’s head with their teeth) or kick the opponent, and then serious injuries are possible, including the death of one of the fighters. In herds of domestic camels, sometimes only the intervention of shepherds saves the weaker camel from severe injuries. It happens that wild camels attack herds of domestic camels, kill the males and take away the females - therefore, Mongolian shepherds in the Trans-Altai Gobi drive herds of domestic camels away from the desert, into the mountains during the rut, in order to protect them from the raids of the haptagai.
During the rut, males actively use their occipital glands to mark territory, arching their necks and touching their heads to the ground and stones. They also spray their own urine on their hind legs and spread the urine over the back of their body using their tail. The female does the same. The female expresses her readiness to mate by bending all four legs and lying down in front of the male, who after mating immediately goes to look for other females.
The female bears offspring once every two years. One baby camel is born; Twins are rare, and very often twin pregnancies end in miscarriage. Pregnancy of camels lasts 13 months, a period of 411 days and 360-440 days is also indicated. Camel calves are born in the spring, and the peak birth rate occurs in March-April. A camel gives birth standing. A newborn camel weighs on average about 36 kg (called average weight and 45 kg) and has a height of about 90 cm at the shoulders. He is able to follow his mother almost immediately (after two hours). Lactation of females lasts about one and a half years, although the duration of exclusive milk feeding is usually about 6 months. Characteristic anatomical feature camels - the different lengths of the uterine horns (the left horn is usually 8-14 cm shorter than the right) - often makes it difficult to diagnose pregnancy. Large fruit, which sometimes weighs 60 kg, and/or its incorrect position (taking into account long legs baby) often causes difficulties during childbirth. In such cases, people help the domestic camel - the baby camel is pulled out into the light using ropes with up to four people. Interestingly, a two-humped camel calf is much smaller at birth (both absolutely and relative to the mother) than a one-humped camel, which weighs about 100 kg.
The Bactrian camel has a well-expressed concern for its offspring (it is still not uncommon for the female to abandon the baby camel or refuse to feed it). The cub remains with its mother for a very long time, until it reaches sexual maturity. In domestic camels this period is longer than in wild camels. Males that have reached sexual maturity begin to stay separately, in bachelor herds, while females remain in the maternal herd. Under conditions of year-round grazing, the growth of young camels occurs in steps, which is expressed in growth retardation during unfavorable periods of the year, and is of a pronounced adaptive nature to the conditions of detention.
Lifestyle
The habitat of the Bactrian camel is deserts and semi-deserts, dry steppes, rocky mountain ranges, rock dunes and canyons with sparse vegetation and a lack of water sources. Temperature fluctuations in the habitats of Bactrians range from +40"C in summer to -40"C in winter.
The Bactrian camel is a calm and patient animal, active during daylight hours. Bactrians feed in the morning and evening. Most nights and during the hottest hours during the day they rest, sitting on a level open area ground or near bushes in order to notice enemies in time. While everyone is resting, the leader stands guard. At the slightest danger, he gives a signal and all the animals leave, without stopping for several kilometers.
Vision and sense of smell are well developed; the animal can see a moving object at a distance of up to 1 km. Bactrian camels run fast - up to 60 km/h. In cold times, they migrate south and stick to mountains or oases (not occupied by man). Camels, like all animals from the callous family (llamas, alpacas, vicunas, etc.) can spit cud at each other. Bactrian can also spit at a person if he believes that he is dangerous, but this happens quite rarely. In defense, it kicks like a horse, can bite, and some even trample with its front legs. During hurricanes, animals can lie motionless for several days. IN extreme heat fan themselves with their tails and stick out their tongues (like dogs). They approach water sources once every few days, but if the source is inaccessible, then camels go without water for 2-3 weeks, eating succulent plants. Swims well. It slips in slush and ice and can fall. Camels amble.
In the warm season, Bactrians are found alone or in small groups (6-20 individuals), consisting of females and young people, headed by a leader. In winter, animals gather in herds (up to 100 individuals). The size of the herd depends on the amount of food.
Nutrition
The Bactrian camel is an exclusively herbivorous animal and, like the Bactrian camel, can feed on the coarsest and least nutritious food. It is able to eat plants with such spines that no other animal is able to eat. The camel's diet includes 33 of the 50 main plant species of the desert flora of Kazakhstan.
Wild camels feed mainly on shrub and semi-shrub hodgepodge, love onions, barnyard grass, and parfolia with its juicy large leaves, eat ephedra and young shoots of saxaul, and in the fall in oases they willingly eat poplar leaves and reeds. When there are no other sources of food, camels eat animal bones and skins, as well as objects made from them.
Camels come to the springs no more than once every few days. If they are disturbed there, they can go without water for two or even three weeks - especially in the summer, when there is a lot of moisture in the plants after the rains. The Bactrian camel is notable for its ability to drink brackish water from desert reservoirs without harm to health. This, however, seems to apply only to wild camel- households avoid drinking salt water. In general, the animal's need for salt is very high - for this reason, domestic camels need to ensure the constant availability of salt bars. Camels in general and Bactrian camels in particular are known for their ability to drink at one time. great amount water. In case of severe dehydration, Bactrian is capable of drinking more than 100 liters at a time.
If there is a good food supply, both wild and domestic camels become very fat by autumn. But camels suffer more than, for example, horses in winter from deep snow and especially ice, since due to the lack of real hooves, they cannot, like horses, dig out the snow and feed on the vegetation underneath it. Therefore, nomadic peoples, such as the Kazakhs, had a practice of sequential grazing of livestock in winter - first, herds of horses were allowed into the lands, which trampled and stirred up the snow, and then camels and cows, who were content with not eating the horses (in the third place they were allowed sheep).
Number
The wild population of Bactrians remains only in Mongolia and China (Gobi and Taklimakan deserts). The wild Bactrian camel is listed in the International Red Book. The estimated population size is about 500 mature individuals.
Bactrian cameland man
The Bactrian camel was domesticated by humans more than 1,000 years ago. Used for transporting goods (a camel can carry 150-450 kg of cargo). Wool, milk, fat, meat, bones and droppings are used by the local population for their needs. Wool and hides are used to make blankets, clothing, carpets and tents; fat is used in cooking; the milk is very fatty and filling; dried droppings are used as fuel. Creates hybrids with domestic camels. The wild animals are hunted by farmers due to competition with domestic camels for food.
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