Two-humped camel: name, interesting facts, photo

One of the amazing animals on our land is a camel. He is curious not only for his appearance, but also for his way of life. Therefore, many are interested to know the name of the two-humped camel and entertaining facts related to it.

As it is called

To begin with, it is worth knowing that this animal is domestic and wild. The homeland of two-humped camels is Mongolia. There this wild animal is known as "haptagai". A homemade two-humped camel is called "bactrian". This name was given to the animal in honor of the ancient region of Bactria, it was in Central Asia. This species is the largest of the family of camelids.

Distribution of species

Many do not know what the two-humped camel is called, but this is not surprising, since in our locality we can meet this exotic animal only at the zoo. But in Central Asia and Mongolia, he is an ordinary pet. It is also bred in some regions of Russia and China. Worldwide, the Bactrian population is more than two million. But the wild representative of this family is a very rare animal, and it is threatened with extinction. According to some reports, the 8th place in the list of endangered mammals is occupied by haptagai. Their total number varies in the range of about a few hundred heads. Most Khaptagaev can be found in some parts of Mongolia and China.

Relationships with people

A two-humped camel (name - bactrian) plays a huge role in the life of Asian people. For the population that lives in desert districts, this animal is an indispensable vehicle. They also shear camels to make woolen things, such as blankets, blankets, boots, capes, clothes, and more. But the skin, meat and milk of the animal also go into action. In addition, the dung of a two-humped camel is also valuable, since it produces good fuel.

Appearance

This animal is so unusual that it can not be confused with other mammals. Bactrian or a two-humped camel, the photo of which is offered below, is quite large and weighs an average of 500 kilograms. But often there are more weighty individuals. If you measure the animal on the withers, it will exceed two meters, and if you take growth along with the humps, it can reach 2.7 m.

The animal has a long bent neck and lanky legs. Instead of hooves there is a forked foot and wide calloused pillows. In addition, on each leg there are processes that resemble a claw.

Also a two-humped camel, whose name is Bactrian, can have a different color from almost white to brown. The coat is thick and long, inside it is hollow to provide a weak heat conductivity. They also have an undercoat. Camels molt to the summer, changing their fur coat. Old wool falls quickly, and for a couple of weeks the animal can remain "naked" until a new cover grows.

The hump of an animal

The most interesting are the humps. They can be of different shapes, which often depends on the state of the camel. For example, if the animal is hungry, the humps may hang, they recover from the bitten individual and then rise again. This is explained by the fact that in these "bags" there is fat (a total of about 150 kg), which is a reserve for feeding the body. Also, these growths serve as heat insulators for the animal. In addition, the bactrian bactrian camel is convenient transport, since the distance between its "bags" is about 30 centimeters, it is enough to accommodate an adult.

Features of camels

This animal has special physiological characteristics that allow it to survive in adverse conditions. For example, a camel can suffer severe dehydration, while other animals die in such circumstances. With a strong loss of moisture in the body, this mammal noticeably loses weight, but when it becomes possible to drink, its mass is almost immediately restored. In addition, the camel is able to accumulate and retain fluid until a certain point.

Lifestyle

This animal is diurnal and prefers to rest at night. They have the main enemies, they are wolves and tigers. The two-humped camel (name - bactrian) lives according to the "schedule", which is set by the owner of the animal. But feral individuals keep up to 20 animals and are subject to a dominant male. Mostly in this family only females and young.

Gone period

At the age of two, females are ready to have offspring. Male camels become sexually mature by the age of five. In the autumn, there comes a period of rutting. Often at this time, the owners put the males on a leash, because they become dangerous to the surrounding animals and humans. They attack rivals, rush, roar and let foam. If the male is dominant, he keeps the females in one place, not allowing them to disperse. Camels often engage in fights during this period. Even quiet animals become ferocious during the mating season. They use a powerful neck, trying to hold the opponent to the ground, using fangs, grabbing at the legs and throat, kicking the enemy with their feet. In this case, if the owner does not disperse the camels, serious injuries and even death for a weak male are possible.

During the rutting period, haptagai can become dangerous for domestic fellows. They are able to break into the corral to kill the males and take the females away. Therefore, the shepherds for these days are taking their animals to the mountains away from danger.

After the mating, the female breeds offspring for 13 months. Only one camel appears on the light, which weighs no more than 45 kilos. Already two hours after birth, the baby is able to walk independently for the mother. Lactation is long, about a year and a half. But the camel can chew on the third month. The female is capable of giving birth in two years once. At the age of 4 years, camel-males get into groups, eventually each of them organizes his "harem".

Amazing Details

One of the most unusual mammals, of course, is a two-humped camel. Interesting facts about this animal are no less fascinating:

• One individual is able to drink 200 liters of water at a time.
• If the animal has decided to rest or sleep, it can not be made to rise. It will rise only when it wants it.
• These herbivores can eat hard thorns, while their lips and mouth will not be scratched.
• The camel's nostrils can close if necessary (for example, to keep out moisture or during sandstorms so that sand does not get inside).
• If a hurricane begins on the territory of his residence, the camel may remain in a recumbent, immobile state for several days.
• Each leg of the animal is capable of doing "kicks" in four directions.
• They can do without water if they eat green plants (camels from them extract moisture).
• One of the defensive abilities is spitting. If you provoke a camel, he will pull out of his stomach an unpleasant mixture, which "reward" the enemy.
• The fur of this animal has the ability to reflect rays, which allows it not to overheat while traveling through the desert.
• The name of the two-humped camel "haptagai" appeared due to local residents.
• Camel excrement is very dry, so they are used for heating. They give a smooth, practically smokeless warm flame.
• They have an excellent memory that helps not to get lost among a lot of barkhans.
• Camels have sharp eyesight. An animal sees movement in the desert a kilometer away from it.
• The sense of smell allows the camel to survive, as it feels water for sixty kilometers.
• In bad weather, the animal tries to hide. If the street is too hot, camels start to walk against the wind, opening their mouth to cool slightly and avoid overheating. They also use a tail for fanning.
• Although special vehicles and navigators were invented to move through the desert, the most reliable assistant is still a two-humped camel, whose name is Bactrian.
• People use fat in their food, which is in the "bags" of the animal. It is suitable for frying and is appreciated above beef.
• Camels heavily suffer from dampness.
• They are very prone to disease.
• A wild camel can be content with even salt water, home to such is not adapted.
• They can live up to 50 years.