Bactrian camel

The Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), also known as the Mongolian camel, domestic Bactrian camel or two-humped camel, is a large even-toed ungulate native to the steppes of Central Asia. It has two humps on its back, in contrast to the single-humped dromedary. Its population of 2 million exists mainly in the domesticated form. Their name comes from the ancient historical region of Bactria.

This article is about the domesticated and feral Bactrian camel. For the critically endangered wild species, see Wild Bactrian camel.

Bactrian camel
Shanghai Zoo
Domesticated
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Camelidae
Genus: Camelus
Species:
C. bactrianus
Binomial name
Camelus bactrianus
Synonyms
List
  • Camelus bocharius Kolenati (1847)
  • Camelus caucasicus Kolenati (1847)
  • Camelus genuinus Kolenati (1847)
  • Camelus orientalis J. Fischer (1829)
  • Camelus tauricus J. Fischer (1829)

Domesticated Bactrian camels have served as pack animals in inner Asia since ancient times. With its tolerance for cold, drought, and high altitudes, it enabled the travel of caravans on the Silk Road. Bactrian camels, whether domesticated or feral, are a separate species from the wild Bactrian camel, which is the only truly wild (as opposed to feral) species of camelid in the Old World.

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