Bactrian camels, Kazakhstan

© Nurlan Kulcha/Alam

Bactrian camels

Bactrian camels have two humps on their backs, in contrast to the single-humped dromedary camel. Their humps are areas for storing fat, which enables them to go without food or water for several days. When they do find water, they will drink large amounts – they can drink more than 100 litres in about 10 minutes! This camel's name comes from an ancient region in Central Asia called Bactria. They are adaptable creatures and can withstand wide variations in temperature, which is ideal for their natural home ranges in Central Asia, like here in Kazakhstan.