Bactrain Alxa

Camel

The camels of China are all of the bi-humped, Bactrian type. Camels are mainly distributed in the high plains, deserts and semi-deserts of the north and northwest China. The Bactrian camel is a multi-purpose animal, mainly used for working and producing wool, meat and milk. Camels can tolerate extremely hot weather. They can suffer thirst, going without watering for 7-8 days, even under the sun, and may lose as much as 221 lbs of water which is about 22-25% of their body weight. The camel can travel 25-40 km per day for one month. A load of 330 lbs can be carried for 7-8 hours a day at the ordinary speed of 25-35 km per day. One camel can pull a load of 1650 lbs or 3300 lbs by two, per day at normal walking speed. The total production of wool is 11 lbs from the undercoat. As a percent of the carcass, meat ranges 25-42%. Camels can be milked when nursing young, lactation lasting about 14-16 months. The Alxa camel can produce 3 lbs daily plus the milk suckled by the young. Reference: Cheng. P. (1984) Livestock breeds of China. Animal Production and Health Paper 46 (E, F, S). Publ. by FAO, Rome, 217 pp.