Class: Mammalia

Order: Artiodactyla

Scientific Name: Camelus bactrianus

Range: Central Asia to Mongolia

Habitat: Dry steppe and semidesert

Diet: Wild: Any vegetation, leaves, herbs, grasses, halophytes Zoo: DNH Tablets, timothy hay

Gestation: 12 to 14 months

Litter: 1

Description: These camels have two humps and a color varying from deep brown to dusty gray. The long hair is thickest on the head, neck, humps, forelegs and tip of tail. It sheds rapidly and in clumps. The height is 6 to 7½ feet at the shoulder. Weight can range from 1,320 to 2,200 lbs. The nostrils can be closed to keep out dust and sand. Hooves form in front of the common sole so that camels do not sink into the sand. They walk in a digitigrade manner. (On the toes.) Bactrians live in the Gobi steppe along rivers and move into the desert as soon as the snow melts. They can stand extreme heat and cold, and are good swimmers. They can travel carrying 375 to 600 lbs. at 3 or 4 miles per hour for 4 or more days. Their urine is concentrated, and their dung is so dry it can be used as fuel as soon as deposited. They can drink brackish water if they have to, and will eat fish when hungry enough. Camels live in groups of up to 30.