Bactrian Camel

ranges of living camelids

Bactrian camel, also called domestic Bactrian camel or Mongolian camel, either of two of the three living species of camels inhabiting the steppes and arid regions of Eurasia. The domesticated Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) is found from southern Ukraine south to the Middle East and east to the steppes of Mongolia; the wild Bactrian camel (also known as the wild camel, C. ferus) is limited to a few small pockets in China and Mongolia. Both Bactrian camels are distinguished from Arabian camels, or dromedaries (C. dromedarius), of North Africa and the Middle East by their short stature, longer hair, and the presence of two back humps. Greek philosopher Aristotle is thought to have given the Bactrian camel its name to differentiate it from the single-humped Arabian camel, though many scientists believe it to be a misnomer, as the camels were likely not native to or domesticated in the ancient region of Bactria (modern Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan).