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Camel breeding methods. Ilnar Girfanov, LayDeya: “Camel breeding is a promising activity, but for us it is more than a business project Camel breeding in Siberia

Today, many in Russia have begun to breed camels, but mating camels poses a big problem for entrepreneurs. This business is relevant for the southern part of the country. These animals produce fatty milk, they have dietary meat, and various textile products can be created from their skins. All this fuels farmers' interest in camels. But it is necessary to understand what conditions are needed for these animals to have offspring.

The rut begins in these animals in the fall. During sexual activity, they roar loudly and rush in different directions. In every herd there are dominant males who are the strongest. They drive females into one or more groups, not allowing them to disperse. If someone tries to violate the boundary of such a male, then he attacks, regardless of whether it is a person or another camel who has invaded his territory.

During a fight, camels try to crush their opponent with their neck, pinning him to the ground. In rare cases, teeth are used. Thus, the timely intervention of a shepherd can save a weaker individual from severe injuries.

Important. In areas where wild camels are found, it is necessary to carefully herd the herd. Attacks on domestic males often occur in order to take away females. An unarmed person cannot repel such an attack.

The occipital gland in camels is used to mark territory. They touch the back of their heads to the ground and stones, arching their necks in an unnatural way. They also spray urine on their hind legs and smear it with their tail, enhancing their scent.

When they see a female, males blow pink bubbles to attract her attention. Usually the female camel chooses the one whose bladders are the largest. In this case, she lies down in front of him, bending all her legs under her. It is worth noting that the male camel tries to impregnate the maximum number of females during the rutting period.

Reproduction and lifespan

The average life expectancy of camels is 40 years. They are used for heavy work and their meat is also used in the food industry. The skin is used in the textile industry. As a rule, individuals that are unsuitable for reproduction are used for meat. This:

hybrids;
weak individuals;
not showing dominant traits.

Thus, in each herd only 2 - 3 dominant males remain, all the rest are castrated, and when they reach a certain age they are sent to slaughter.

Puberty

Females mature earlier than males. The minimum age at which camels are ready to mate is 3 years. However, they usually take 5 years. Some males mature after 6 years, but this is rather an exception.

Important. Regardless of their readiness to perform the reproductive function, by the age of 3 years, males exhibit pronounced signs of sexual dimorphism.

This manifests itself as follows:

size (male camels are larger);
color (females have lighter coat color).

Peculiarities of offspring reproduction

Female camels give birth every two years. Usually one baby is born, but sometimes twins can be born. In 70% of cases, twin pregnancies end in miscarriage. The standard gestation period is 13 months. Experts also note a range from 360 to 440 days.

The birth process occurs while standing. Peak camel births are March and April. The baby's weight can vary from 35 kg to 45 kg. His height at the shoulders is approximately 90 cm.

After just a couple of hours, he is able to move independently and cover relatively short distances. Camel calves are fed milk for 6 – 8 months. The maximum lactation period is 1.5 years.

Important. If childbirth is difficult as a result of the large size of the fetus, then people help the woman in labor (in the steppe conditions there is no one to help wild individuals, so they often die during childbirth). They pull the baby camel out with ropes. The assistance of 3–5 people may be required.

Interestingly, a baby camel with two humps is born smaller than its one-humped counterpart.

Maternal instinct

Camels have a highly developed instinct. The baby stays with the mother for a long time. Typically, the caregiving process lasts until sexual maturity. But sometimes the female abandons the baby camel and refuses to feed it just a few weeks after giving birth.

Domestic camels care for their children longer than their wild relatives. After reaching puberty, males stay in small herds away from females. During the breeding season, they can claim their rights to the female half of the herd and fight with the dominant male. Having won the battle, he receives the right to mate.

It is worth noting that at home, dominant males are often tied up, not allowing them to mate with females. In this case, other males can continue their lineage. Dominant males also take part in the reproductive process, since the strongest individuals are born about them. However, weak ones are also necessary, since they are used for meat.

Differences between domestic camels and wild ones

These animals are able to live without water for a long time, but they really drink a lot once they get to it. They have excellent endurance, which allows them to be used instead of horses in hot climates. Humps are used to accumulate water reserves.

Externally, a domesticated camel is almost no different from its wild ancestor. However, some features are present. So, in wild animals:

Wild camels are almost never found in nature due to processes of urbanization and domestication. There are no more than 3,000 of them left in the world.

Types of mixed camels

Today there are several species of these animals. Farmers try not to breed mestizos, preserving the breed, but this is not always possible. This is especially true in countries where wild species exist.

Table. Types of camels

Camel	Peculiarities
	Weighing up to 1 ton, it appeared as a result of the mating of a one-humped arvan and a two-humped camel from the steppes of Kazakhstan. They have excellent milk production qualities. One female can produce up to 2,000 liters of milk per year.
	A cross between a dromedary and a llama. Low weight and height. The average body weight is no more than 80 kg, and the height is only 140 cm. It does not have a hump, but it is bred for its large carrying capacity and the ability to transport cargo in difficult places.
	It is necessary to cross a female Turkmen camel with an Arwan. This individual has thick and high-quality wool and a large amount of meat. Camel cubs are born with one hump.
	This is a rare and poorly adapted species that is born as a result of the intercourse of two hybrids.
	A cross between iner and Turkmen camel. It produces a lot of milk, but this species is almost never bred, since its fat content is low. This camel also has low-quality wool.
Kaspak	A hybrid of Bactrian and Nara, which is popular on farms. He has large milk yields and large meat mass.
Kez-nar	Has the best milk yield. A cross between a kaspak and a Turkmen camel.

Jarbays are castrated almost immediately so that they cannot reproduce further, and sex hormones do not spoil the meat. They appear only as a result of random crossing. Entrepreneurs are not interested in breeding them due to the almost complete lack of beneficial properties in the animal.

Features of the dromedary camel

This type is considered a running type. It is rarely used for transporting various goods. It is rather a “ship of the desert.” It is very hardy and is able to travel long distances during the day. Its average speed is from 15 to 23 km/h, which is more than that of a horse. Some dromedaries accelerated to 65 km/h, but a camel cannot maintain such a pace for a long time.

The height of the animal can reach 210 cm; it is also inferior to its two-humped relative in weight. However, it does not tolerate cold well, so it is quite difficult to breed it in the south of Russia. Its fur can provide excellent protection from the sun, but provides almost no warmth.

Dromedaries have a short but shaggy mane. There is also similar hair on the back and in the area of the shoulder blades. The coat has a sandy tint, but sometimes you can find individuals of other colors. Babies are often white.

Entrepreneurs often breed these camels for racing. They can run fast for quite a long time, and camel racing is very popular in some countries. Thus, a breeding camel can be sold for several hundred thousand dollars.

Bactrian camel

These animals can reach 230 cm in height. The humps account for up to 60 cm, and the distance between them varies from 20 cm to 40 cm.

This species has a strongly curved neck. As a result of this, the head and shoulders themselves are at the same height, which is not typical for single-humped breeds.

The wool is very thick enough to keep you warm in extreme cold. Therefore, it is possible to breed them not only in the south of Russia, but also in the southern zone of Siberia. In particular, in the Altai Territory and even in the Novosibirsk region there are entire farms of 30 - 40 heads.

Varieties of camels

Despite the presence of only two breeds: with one and two humps, scientists distinguish several species. They are distinguished by geography.

The Kalmyk camel is considered the most unpretentious for breeding on a farm. It is bred specifically for wool and meat. He has a calm character and is unpretentious.

There are also a large number of racing breeds, but the differences between them are small. For example, the Sudanese and Omani breeds are almost exactly the same, and perform equally well at races. The fundamental difference lies in the place of release.

Camel and man

Today, camel breeding in Russia has begun to gain popularity. The meat of young animals is highly valued in restaurants. Wool has excellent qualities, and the fat can be used in cooking and pharmaceuticals. These animals also have tasty and rich milk.

Here are some benefits of camel breeding:

low level of competition;
low feed requirements;
the ability to use animal meat, fat, wool, skin and milk for sale;
low breeding costs.

Farmers may only have a problem during the mating period, as the animals behave very aggressively. However, this problem can be solved by isolating several individuals from the herd. Those that are initially intended for meat must be castrated before they reach puberty.

In Russia, the culture of eating camel meat has not been developed, which will allow it to be sold as a delicacy. Thus, the farmer’s profit automatically increases several times. Many textile companies are ready to buy wool at a favorable price to diversify production.

Today, light industrial products made from camel leather and wool are usually bought in Mongolia or Kazakhstan.

It is important to understand that nutrition is much simpler and cheaper than with the same cows. You can read more about feeding cows in. One individual eats only 1.5 tons of grain, 5 tons of hay and about 70 kg of salt per year. However, it is recommended to clarify in detail how to feed a particular species from specialists who sell young animals. These animals can even feed on low-quality grass, allowing you to set up a farm almost anywhere.

You can buy camels in Russia at one of the breeding farms located in the Volga region or in the south of Siberia. One baby camel costs about 70 thousand rubles.

Thus, camel breeding in Russia can become a very profitable industry if you build a marketing plan correctly. Selling 100 - 200 kg of meat per day is not difficult, having about 40 heads in the herd. At the same time, there will be additional profit during the molting period from wool and milk yield.

However, it is advisable to weigh the pros and cons because low-maintenance camels may not be profitable in some regions. It is best to agree in advance with several companies about the purchase of goods in order to be guaranteed to have a profit from sales. It is also necessary to have qualified specialists who know the habits of camels and the peculiarities of their breeding.

Video - Camel breeding as a business

A majestic ship “sails” among the sandy “mountains” of the desert... Who do you think we are talking about? Well, of course, about the camel. This animal has long been called exactly that – “ship of the desert.” And there is no longer an animal in the world that can endure the scorching sun, while carrying a heavy load. The two-humped and one-humped camels are truly unique animals of their kind.

Appearance of a camel

Currently, there are two species of these animals preserved on our planet: camels with one hump (dromedaries) and two-humped camels (Bactrians). Externally, they differ not only in the number of humps.

Dromedaries have a slimmer build. They have long legs, thanks to which they are able to run very fast. The height of the average dromedary camel reaches 2.5 meters, and its weight ranges from 300 to 700 kilograms. The coat color of dromedaries is predominantly ash-yellow.

Distinctive features of Bactrians, in addition to the presence of two humps, are: thick wool, higher height (up to 2.7 meters) and weight (up to 800 kilograms), as well as a color that has a gray-yellow tint.

What are camel humps? Contrary to popular belief that the animal has a large supply of water in its hump, it is worth saying that this part of the camel’s body consists of 100% adipose tissue. And the appearance of the humps directly indicates the physical condition of the animal. If a camel is in excellent shape, well-fed and healthy, then its humps stick up; when the animal is exhausted or sick, then the hump may sag or disappear completely.

Where do dromedaries and bactrians live?

The habitat of dromedary camels is considered mainly to be Africa. But they can also be found in central Asia. More than 100 years ago, dromedaries were even brought to the Australian continent.

Bactrians are inhabitants of the Asian part of the Eurasian continent. They live in Mongolia, China, India, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Kalmykia.

It is worth noting that camels are becoming less and less common in the wild, as they are being massively domesticated by humans (this is especially true for Bactrians).

Camel behavior and lifestyle

Deserts and semi-deserts with their low trees and thorny bushes are ideal for living and habitat of camels. Camels are sedentary animals, although they are characterized by long journeys within their territories. During the daytime, they prefer to lie down, chewing gum, and when night comes, they go to bed.

Listen to the voice of a dromedary camel

Camels are very good swimmers, despite their height and weight.

A feature of Bactrians is their frost resistance. Thanks to their thick wool, they tolerate low temperatures (down to minus 40 degrees), but heat and drought are very destructive for them. The same cannot be said about dromedaries: they prefer hot sun rather than cold.

What do two-humped and one-humped camels eat?

Camels are ruminant herbivores. They are unpretentious in food and can feed on the most meager plants, such as bitter herbs, thorny branches, etc. Thanks to its fat reserves in the hump, the animal can do without food for about a month!

Camel breeding

The mating season for these animals begins in the winter months (December - February).

Bearing offspring lasts a year, and sometimes several months more. After birth, baby camels feed on their mother's milk. A few hours after birth, the cubs are already standing on their feet and following their mother. Full maturity of the offspring occurs in the fifth year of life. The lifespan of these animals is about 40 – 50 years

Natural enemies of the camel

Usually, none of the animals attacks adults. But the same cannot be said about little camels: they are a favorite object

Camels (Camelus) are a genus of mammals belonging to the camelid family (Camelidae) and the suborder Camelidae. Large representatives of the artiodactyla order (Artiodactyla) are well adapted for life in arid regions, including deserts, semi-deserts and steppes.

Description of the camel

The weight of an average adult camel varies between 500-800 kg, with a height at the withers of no more than 200-210 cm. One-humped camels are reddish-gray in color, while two-humped camels are characterized by a dark brown color.

Appearance

Camels have curly fur, a long and arched neck, and small, rounded ears. Representatives of the camelid family and the callosopod suborder are characterized by the presence of 38 teeth, of which ten are represented by molars, two canines, ten molars, two molars, a pair of canines and twelve molars.

Thanks to the long and shaggy eyelashes, the camel’s large eyes are reliably protected from sand and dust, and the slits of the nostrils can be closed very tightly if necessary. A camel's vision is excellent, so the animal is able to see a moving person at a distance of a kilometer, and a car even five kilometers away. The large desert animal perfectly smells water and plants.

This is interesting! A camel is able to sense the territory of fresh pasture or the presence of fresh water even fifty kilometers away, and when it sees thunderclouds in the sky, the desert animal goes in their direction, hoping to get to a place with pouring rains.

The mammal is quite well adapted to life in harsh and waterless areas, and also has special pectoral, wrist, elbow and knee calluses, which often come into contact with soil heated to 70°C. The animal's fairly thick fur is intended to protect it from the scorching daytime sun and night cold. The fingers connected together form a common sole. Wide and two-toed camel feet are well adapted for walking on small stones and loose sand.

A camel is not capable of losing significant amounts of fluid through natural feces. Moisture, which is released from the nostrils during breathing, easily collects inside a special fold, after which it enters the animal’s oral cavity. Camels are able to do without water for a long time, but at the same time they lose about 40% of their total body weight.

One of the specific adaptations of camels for living in desert conditions is the presence of humps, which are large fat deposits and serve as a kind of “roof” that protects the animal’s back from the rays of the scorching sun. Among other things, the high concentration of such fat reserves of the whole body in the back area contributes to good heat output. Camels are excellent swimmers, and when moving in water, such animals typically tilt their bodies slightly to the side.

Character and lifestyle

In the wild, a camel tends to settle down, but such an animal constantly moves across various desert territories, as well as rocky plains or large foothills, trying to stay within large, already marked areas. Any haptagai prefer to move between rare water sources, which allows them to replenish their vital water supplies.

As a rule, camels live in small herds of five to twenty individuals. The leader of such a herd is the main male. Such desert animals are active mainly during the daytime, and with the onset of darkness, camels sleep or behave rather sluggishly and somewhat apathetically. During hurricane periods, camels can lie down for days, and on hot days they move against the wind, which promotes effective thermoregulation, or hide in bushes and ravines. Wild individuals are shy and somewhat aggressive towards strangers, including people.

This is interesting! There is a well-known practice according to which winter grazing of horses is carried out, easily churning the snow cover with their hooves, after which camels are launched into such an area, picking up the remaining food.

When signs of danger appear, camels run away, easily reaching speeds of up to 50-60 km/h. Adult animals are able to run for two or three days until their strength is completely exhausted. Experts believe that natural endurance and large size often cannot save a desert animal from death, which is due to its small mental development.

The lifestyle of domesticated individuals is completely subordinate to people, and wild animals quickly get used to leading a lifestyle characteristic of their ancestors. Adult and fully mature males are able to live alone. The onset of winter is a difficult test for camels, who find it very difficult to move on snow cover. Among other things, the absence of true hooves in such animals makes it impossible to dig out food from under the snow.

How long do camels live?

In favorable conditions, camels can easily live for about four decades, but such a significant life expectancy is still more typical for fully domesticated specimens. Among wild haptagai, quite often there are quite large individuals, whose age is fifty years.

Types of camels

The camel genus is represented by two species:

one-humped;
two-humped

One-humped camels (dromedaries, dromedaries, arabians) - Camelus dromedarius, have survived to this day exclusively in a domesticated form, and may also well be represented by newly feral individuals. Dromedary is translated from Greek as “running”, and such animals are named “Arabians” in honor of the inhabitants of Arabia who tamed them.

Dromedaries, along with Bactrians, have very long and calloused legs, but with a more slender build. Compared to the two-humped camel, the one-humped camel is much smaller, so the body length of an adult is no more than 2.3-3.4 m, with a height at the withers ranging from 1.8-2.1 m. The average weight of an adult one-humped camel varies at 300-700 kg.

Dromedaries have a head with elongated facial bones, a convex forehead, and a hook-nosed profile. The animal's lips, compared to horses or cattle, do not compress at all. The cheeks are enlarged in size, and the lower lip is most often drooping. The neck of dromedary camels has well-developed muscles.

This is interesting! A small mane grows along the entire upper edge of the cervical region, and on the lower part there is a short beard reaching the middle of the neck. On the forearms the edge is completely absent. In the area of the shoulder blades there is an edge that looks like “epaulettes” and is represented by long curled hair.

Also, one-humped camels differ from their two-humped counterparts in that they are extremely difficult to tolerate even minor frosts. However, the coat of dromedaries is quite dense, but not too thick and relatively short. The dromedary camel's fur is not intended to provide warmth and only helps prevent excessive fluid loss.

On cold nights, the body temperature of dromedary camels drops significantly, and under the sun's rays the animal warms up very slowly. The neck, back and head of the dromedary camel are covered with the longest hair. Dromedaries are predominantly sandy in color, but there are representatives of the species with dark brown, reddish-gray or white fur.

Bactrian camels, or Bactrians (Camelus bactrianus) are the largest representatives of the genus, and are the most valuable pets for a large number of Asian peoples. Bactrian camels owe their name to Bactria. This area in Central Asia became famous for the domestication of the Bactrian camel. There are also currently a small number of wild Bactrian camels called haptagai. Several hundred of these individuals today live in China and Mongolia, where they prefer the most inaccessible natural landscapes.

Bactrian camels are very large, massive and heavy animals. The average body length of an adult of this species reaches 2.5-3.5 m, with a height of 1.8-2.2 meters. The height of the animal, including humps, can easily reach 2.6-2.7 m. The length of the tail most often varies between 50-58 cm. As a rule, the weight of a mature Bactrian camel ranges from 440-450 to 650-700 kg. A well-fed male camel of a very valuable and popular Kalmyk breed over the summer can weigh from 780-800 kg to a ton, and the weight of a female most often ranges from 650-800 kg.

Bactrian camels have a dense body and fairly long limbs.. Bactrians are noticeably distinguished by a particularly long and curved neck, which initially bends downward and then rises again. Due to this structural feature of the neck, the animal’s head is characteristically located in line with the shoulder region. The humps of all representatives of this species are located at a distance of 20-40 cm from each other. The space between them is called the saddle, and is often used as a place for a person to sit.

The standard distance from the interhump saddle to the surface of the earth is usually about 170 cm. In order for a person to climb onto the back of a Bactrian camel, the animal kneels or lies down on the ground. It should be noted that the space that is located between the two humps of a camel is not filled with fat deposits even in the most mature and well-fed individuals.

This is interesting! Bactrian camels, with a light coat color, are the rarest individuals, the number of which is no more than 2.8 percent of the total population.

The main indicators of the fatness and health of a Bactrian camel are represented by elastic, evenly standing humps. Emaciated animals have humps that partially or completely fall to the side, so they dangle a lot when walking. Adult Bactrian camels are distinguished by an extremely thick and dense coat with a very well-developed undercoat, ideal for the existence of the animal in rather harsh continental climatic conditions, characterized by hot summers and cold, snowy winters.

It is noteworthy that in the habitats familiar to the animal in winter, the thermometer often drops even below minus 40 degrees, but the Bactrian camel is able to safely and easily endure such severe frosts due to the special structure of its fur. The hairs of the coat have internal cavities, which significantly reduce the thermal conductivity of fur. The fine hairs of the undercoat retain air well.

The average length of Bactrian fur is 50-70 mm, and on the lower part of the cervical region and the tops of the humps there is hair, the length of which often exceeds a quarter of a meter. The longest fur grows in representatives of the species in the autumn, so in winter such animals look quite pubescent. In the spring, Bactrian camels begin to shed, and their fur falls out in clumps. At this time, the animal has an unkempt, sloppy and shabby appearance.

The usual color for the Bactrian camel is brown-sand with varying degrees of intensity. Some individuals have a very dark or completely light, sometimes even reddish color.

Range, habitats

Camels of both species are quite widespread only in desert zones, as well as in dry steppes. Such large animals are absolutely not adapted to too humid climatic conditions or living in mountainous areas. Domesticated camel species are currently common in many areas of Asia and Africa.

Dromedaries are often found in northern Africa, up to one degree south latitude, as well as in the Arabian Peninsula and central Asia. In the nineteenth century, such animals were brought to Australia, where they were quickly able to adapt to unusual climatic conditions. Today, the total number of such animals in Australia is fifty thousand individuals.

This is interesting! Bactrians are quite widespread in regions stretching from Asia Minor to Manchuria. There are currently about nineteen million camels in the world, and approximately fourteen million live in Africa.

In Somalia today there are about seven million camels, and in Sudan there are just over three million camels. Wild dromedaries are believed to have gone extinct at the beginning of our era. Their most likely ancestral home was represented by the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula, but at present it has not been possible to fully establish whether its ancestors were wild-shaped dromedaries or were a common ancestor with the Bactrian. N.M.

During an Asian expedition, Przhevalsky was the first to discover the existence of two-humped wild camels, the Khaptagai. Their existence was assumed at that time, but was not confirmed, and was therefore disputed.

Populations of wild Bactrians today exist only in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Mongolia. The presence of only three separate populations was noted there, and the total number of animals in them is currently about one thousand individuals. Currently, issues related to the acclimatization of wild Bactrian camels in the conditions of the Yakut Pleistocene park zone are being actively considered.

Camel diet

Camels are typical representatives of ruminants. Both species eat saltwort and wormwood, as well as camel thorn and saxaul. Camels are able to drink even salt water, and all the fluid in the body of such animals is stored inside the cells of the stomach rumen. All representatives of the callosopod suborder tolerate dehydration very well and quite easily. The main source of water for a camel is fat. The oxidation process of one hundred grams of fat produces about 107 g of water and carbon dioxide.

This is interesting! Wild camels are very cautious and mistrustful animals, so they prefer to die from lack of water or food, but never come too close to people.

Even in conditions of prolonged absence of water, camels’ blood does not thicken at all. Such animals, belonging to the suborder callosopods, can survive about two weeks without water and about one month without food. Even despite such simply amazing endurance, at present wild camels, more often than other animals, suffer from a noticeable reduction in the number of watering places. This situation is explained by the active development by people of desert areas with the presence of fresh natural reservoirs.

Camel (lat. Camelus) is a cute, furry animal, which is also called the “ship of the desert.” The weight of an adult camel is 500-800 kg.

These are wild animals that cannot live in areas with a humid climate, but prefer desert and dry steppe conditions. As a result of the process of evolution, they have adapted to chew the young-edible vegetation of their habitats and make do with a limited amount of water. Camels can live up to 20 years.

Possessing callous formations, camel may lie on the hot ground. Despite the fact that the animal lives in dry places, the camel swims well if necessary. Now camels are considered domesticated animals and are used as pack animals and harnesses for household needs.

There is a widespread belief among people that camels carry water in their humps, thus stocking up on life-giving moisture for long journeys across desert expanses. In fact, there is fat there, which animals use as energy material when necessary.

When food supply becomes poor, camels' humps become smaller and hang to the side. can go without water for a long time, losing up to 40% of body weight.

Camels live in harems, which makes it easier for them to travel and care for their offspring. They have a wayward character and vindictiveness, especially when it comes to females.

In the wild, during the rutting season, real fighting takes place for attention and the opportunity to have your own harem. The animal also does not stand on ceremony with humans, and if it does not want to do something, it is very difficult to force it. In response, the camel will roar, kick and even bite.

In ancient times, mainly in Egypt, camels were used instead of horses during fighting competitions. This was justified by the fact that a camel is much tougher than a horse.

Camels store water reserves in the stomach compartments and consume them as needed. At a watering hole, this animal is capable of drinking a huge amount of water, any water, be it stagnant or flowing.

Camels are divided into two types:

Dromedar(dromedary camel) has a slender body and high endurance. It is believed that this animal was never wild and descended from its fellow Bactrian camel. Man uses it as transport in endless deserts and as a supplier of meat, wool and milk.

But, despite its domestic appearance, the dromedary camel can live in the desert. His long eyelashes protect his eyes from the sand, his slit nose closes during a sandstorm, and his hooves have a special structure that is adapted to walk on hot sand. Dromedaries are common in North Africa, India, and the Middle East.

Bactrian(bactrian camel) - an animal that lived in the wild, was later domesticated, but herds can still be found in Mongolia and Western China. Bactrian camels are used for domestic purposes in the same way as dromedaries.

The humps of a wild camel are pointed and are located far from each other, but the humps of domestic Bactrians are large and seem to overlap each other. Wild animals roam through remote places in small herds of six animals, feeding on everything they find.

Camel cubs are born well developed, able to move immediately, following their mother everywhere. The Bactrian camel is less hardy than the dromedary.

By crossing a one-humped camel with a two-humped camel, you can get offspring that are superior in strength and endurance to the parents. The resulting hybrid is called bunks.

Bactrian or single-humped, camels have been the source of life for many nomadic peoples for centuries. They are strong, tolerate drought well, and are able to walk many kilometers with a load of up to 350 kg. However, some individuals may have a bad character and bad habits.

About camels

Most often, the innocent question of how many humps an African camel has causes confusion among ordinary people. Everyone knows that there are one-humped and two-humped camels, but which species lives where is a complex question. Different species of camels live on different continents and practically do not overlap in nature: two-humped camels live in Asia, and one-humped camels have chosen North Africa, the Middle East and Australia. The animals came to the Australian continent along with settlers, and since then the population has been actively growing and multiplying.

Zoologists are sure that initially all camels were two-humped. The African subspecies appeared as a result of the animals' adaptation to a hotter climate.

Confirmation of this is that the dromedary embryo has two humps. The second one stops developing over time and completely disappears by the time of birth.

Features of the structure of camels

Camels have good eyesight and very good memory. Thanks to this, they are well oriented in the area, find their way to watering places and food sources among the endless dunes and dunes. Animals can see humans at a distance of a kilometer. Animals have a well-developed sense of smell - they can smell the smell of fresh water 50 km away, just as they can smell the approach of rain.

Animals have a unique foot structure - two toes have a thick, calloused sole, which allows them to move on hot and loose sand, small sharp pebbles, and also swim. Despite the fact that many camels have not seen rivers and lakes, they are excellent swimmers. Animals move mainly at a walk, but in case of danger they can gallop and reach speeds of up to 65 km per hour.

Living in a harsh climate has resulted in several distinctive and recognizable animal characteristics:

On the chest, in the elbow area, on the wrists and in the knee area, camels have leathery growths - calluses, which allow animals to lie on the hot ground,
The moisture that evaporates from the nostrils when exhaling is collected in a special fold and then enters the oral cavity,
The three-chambered stomach is capable of digesting any, even the roughest food,
The animal’s nostrils open when inhaling and exhaling, this ensures minimal evaporation of precious liquid,
Sweating begins only at temperatures above 41 degrees,
Most of the water is stored in the scar tissue of the stomach,
Camels have a unique structure of red blood cells. They have an oval shape, which protects the blood from thickening and the animal from death,
Animals are able to lose up to 40% of fluid and not die,
When using 100 grams of fat from its humps, a camel is able to obtain up to 110 grams of water,
In one approach to a watering hole, a camel can drink up to one hundred liters of water.

The most important distinguishing feature of the animal is the dorsal hump, which accumulates fat deposits. The main task of the hump is thermal protection and regulation of heat exchange, and only then is a supply of food and water.

Camels are ruminants and can absorb even very nutrient-poor vegetation - wormwood, various types of thorns, saxaul, barnyard grass, solyanka, various types of reeds, as well as grass, leaves and twigs of various bushes and low-growing trees. A hungry animal will not disdain bird eggs or carrion.

Feral individuals are able to go without water for up to nine months - they have enough moisture entering the body through food.

Characteristics of animals

Camels, especially wild and feral ones, are quite irritable and hot-tempered animals. In response to an insult, a threat, or in case of irritation, they spit. But not saliva, as many people think, but the fetid, semi-digested contents of one section of the stomach. The mass not only smells bad, but is also sticky and thick. Males also spit during the rutting season.

The Bactrian camel is more docile in character than the dromedary camel, however, for use on the farm, for riding and transporting goods, all males are castrated to avoid problems during the breeding season. To produce offspring, only a few males are left, who are practically not used for economic needs. Animals usually express their dissatisfaction with a loud roar, less often - they bite, and even less often - they spit. Most often, the inhabitants of zoos who suffer more from crowds of tourists are susceptible to bad habits.

Dromedary African camel - Arabian

The African camel is called by several names, the most common being dromedary. The dromedary camel is much smaller than its Asian counterpart. At the withers, the height rarely exceeds two meters, and the body length can reach three and a half meters in males. A healthy and well-fed individual can weigh up to seven hundred kilograms.

The answer to the question posed above - how many humps does an African camel have - will be one.

The African camel is one-humped. From the name it follows that it lives in Africa, or more precisely in the north of the continent, but dromedaries are widespread in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia and the Emirates.

The one-humped camel has a beautifully elongated head and a convex forehead, a slightly hump-nosed profile, and pronounced ganache. The animal's eyes are very large and expressive, framed by two rows of long and thick eyelashes. The Arabian's neck is strong, and males often have a peculiar mane consisting of long and sparse hair.

The dromedary camel is perfectly adapted to heat, but even mild frosts can be disastrous for the animal. Dense fur is not thick, and the subcutaneous layer of fat does not protect from frost and dampness. At the moment, there is no wild species of dromedary left in nature. All animals are either domesticated or re-feralized.

Bactrian camel

What is the name of the Bactrian camel? This animal, unlike its one-humped brother, has only one name - Bactrian. The majestic and regal Bactrian lives throughout Central and Central Asia, in some areas of China and Russia. In our country, this animal can be found in the Kalmyk steppes, in the Volgograd, Astrakhan, Rostov and Chelyabinsk regions. Bactrians have perfectly adapted to sudden climatic changes - thick and long hair saves animals not only from the scorching sun, but also from severe frosts, snowstorms and rains. They are stronger and more resilient. The length of the coat in the winter months can reach 30 cm or more! Most often, animals have a brown color of various undertones, gray, smoky and black. Cream and white camels are considered valuable.

The Bactrian camel has long and strong legs, a long neck and a beautiful hump-nosed head. Well-nourished animals have dense and erect humps. During the period of abundance of food and water, the weight of males can reach a ton, and the height of the animal, including humps, reaches three meters. Bactrians have a genetically wild subspecies that survives in some areas of China and Mongolia.

A wild camel is called haptagai. The main difference between haptagai is its smaller size, the absence of calluses on the legs and chest, as well as a drier and leaner physique.

Khaptagai are in constant motion - animals travel up to 120 kilometers per day in search of food and water, and periodically enter mountainous areas. Sometimes they are found at an altitude of three thousand meters.

Nar - a hybrid of a dromedary and a bactrian

The Nar is a viable Bactrian-Dromedary hybrid that is distinguished by its large back hump, long coat, good disposition, and hardiness. The animal can only be obtained at home.

The bunks are divided into several types, depending on the crossing:

Iner or Nar (depending on the country of receipt) - a cross between a two-humped and one-humped camel,
Zharbay is the result of crossing two Nars. It is less common, since individuals are often not viable,
Kospak is a cross between a female Nara and a male Bactrian camel,
Kez-Nar is a cross between females of the cospak subspecies and males of Turkmen Bactrian camels,
Kurt is a cross between females of the Kazakh subspecies of iners with two-humped males of the Kazakh breed,
Kurt-Nar is a cross between females of the Kurt subspecies and males of the Kazakh breed of Bactrian camels.

The two-humped giant of the entire camel family is distinguished by its unique ability to survive in conditions that are destructive for other living beings.

Reliability and benefits for humans have been made camel since ancient times, a constant companion of the inhabitants of Asia, Mongolia, Buryatia, China and other areas with a dry climate.

Features and habitat of the Bactrian camel

There are two main varieties Bactrian camels. Titles the few wild camels in their native Mongolia are khaptagai, and the common domestic camels are Bactrians.

Wild representatives are listed in the Red Book due to the threat of extinction of the last hundred individuals. The famous researcher N.M. first wrote about them. .

Domesticated camels were depicted on the ancient ruins of palaces dating back to the 4th century. BC. The number of Bactrians exceeds 2 million individuals.

Until today camel- an indispensable transport for humans in desert conditions; its meat, wool, milk, even dung have long been used as excellent fuel.

Breeding Bactrians is usually for residents of rocky, desert areas with limited sources of water, and foothill areas with sparse vegetation. Where you can often find a dromedary camel.

Small rainfalls or river banks attract wild camels to watering places to replenish their body supplies. In winter they make do with snow.

Khaptagai travel long distances, up to 90 km per day, in search of food and especially water sources.

The size of the male Bactrian giants is impressive: up to 2.7 m in height and body weight up to 1000 kg. Females are slightly smaller: weight up to 500-800 kg. Tail 0.5 meters long with a tassel.

Upright humps reflect the satiety of the animal. When hungry, they partially heel.

The legs are adapted to move on loose surfaces or rocky slopes; they have cloven feet on a wide callus pad.

In front is a claw-like shape or something like a hoof. Calloused areas cover the animal's front knees and chest. Wild individuals do not have them, and their body shape is leaner.

The large head is mobile on a curved neck. Expressive eyes are covered with double rows of eyelashes. During sandstorms, they close not only their eyes, but also their slit-like nostrils.

The upper hard lip, characteristically forked among camelids, is adapted for rough food. The ears are small, almost invisible from a distance.

The color of the dense coat is of different colors: from whitish to dark brown. The fur is similar to that of polar bears or reindeer.

Empty hairs inside and a lush undercoat help protect against high and low temperatures.

Molting occurs in the spring, and camels“going bald” due to rapid hair loss. After about three weeks, a new coat grows, which by winter becomes especially long, from 7 to 30 cm.

The accumulation of fat in the humps of up to 150 kg not only serves as a supply of nutrition, but also protects against overheating, since the sun's rays have the greatest impact on the animal's back.

Bactrians are adapted to very hot summers and harsh winters. The main need for their living is a dry climate; they tolerate dampness very poorly.

Character and lifestyle of the Bactrian camel

In wild nature camels They tend to settle down, but constantly move across desert areas, rocky plains and foothills within large marked areas.

Khaptagai move from one rare water source to another to replenish their vital supplies.

Usually 5-20 individuals stay together. The leader of the herd is the main male. Activity manifests itself during the day, and in the dark the camel sleeps or behaves sluggishly and apathetically.

During hurricane periods it lies for days; in hot weather they walk against the wind for thermoregulation or hide in ravines and bushes.

Wild individuals are shy and aggressive, unlike the cowardly but calm Bactrians. Khaptagai have keen eyesight and, when danger appears, they run away at speeds of up to 60 km/h.

They can run for 2-3 days until they are completely exhausted. Domestic Bactrian camels perceived as enemies and feared on a par with tigers. The smoke from the fire terrifies them.

Researchers note that size and natural forces do not save giants due to their small minds.

When attacked by a wolf, they do not even think about defending themselves, they just scream and spit. Even crows can peck at animal wounds and abrasions from heavy loads, camel shows his vulnerability.

In an irritated state, spitting is not a release of saliva, as many believe, but contents accumulated in the stomach.

The life of domesticated animals is subordinate to humans. In case of wildness, they lead the image of their ancestors. Adult sexually mature males can live alone.

In winter time camels It is more difficult for other animals to move through the snow. They also cannot dig up food under the snow due to the lack of true hooves.

There is a practice of winter grazing by first stirring up the snow cover, and then camels, picking up the remaining food.

Bactrian camel feeding

Rough and low-nutrient food forms the basis of the diet of two-humped giants. Herbivorous camels feed on plants with thorns that all other animals will refuse.

Most species of desert flora are included in the food supply: reed shoots, leaves and branches of parfolia, onions, coarse grass.

They can feed on the remains of animal bones and skins, even objects made from them, in the absence of other food.

If the plants in food are succulent, then the animal can survive without water for up to three weeks. If a source is available, they drink on average once every 3-4 days.

Wild individuals even consume brackish water without harm to their health. Pets avoid it, but they need salt consumption.

After severe dehydration at one time bactrian camel can drink up to 100 liters of liquid.

Nature has endowed camels ability to endure long periods of fasting. The scarcity of food does not harm the condition of the body.

Excessive nutrition leads to obesity and organ failure. Camels are not picky about household feed; they eat hay, crackers, and cereals.

Reproduction and lifespan of the Bactrian camel

Sexual maturity camels occurs around 3-4 years of age. Females are ahead of males in development. In the fall comes marriage time.

Aggression is manifested in roaring, throwing, foaming from the mouth and constant attacks on everyone.

To avoid danger, male domestic camels are tied and marked with warning bands or separated from others.

Males fight, hit the enemy and bite. Rivalry causes injury and may result in death in such a battle if the shepherds do not intervene and protect the weak.

Wild Bactrian camels During the mating season, they become bolder and try to take away domestic females, and the males, it happens, are killed.

Pregnancy of females lasts up to 13 months, in the spring a calf is born weighing up to 45 kg; twins are very rare.

Probably each of us has asked ourselves this question at least once, and in our search for an answer we have come across many conflicting versions. Some argue that saliva accumulates in a camel’s hump, others talk about huge reserves of water, because how else can one explain their ability to survive in the hot desert? Unfortunately for many, both versions are incorrect. But if so, then what do camels hide in the most prominent part of their body?

Why does a camel need a hump and what is inside?

In fact fat accumulates in a camel's hump, the same fat that I, and you, and many other people and animals have. Typically, mammals store fat tissue in their muscles or under their skin, but camels are special animals and store fat in their hump, which fuels them during long treks through the desert. A camel's hump can weigh up to 35 kg, making them quite capable of going without food for up to 2 weeks. If a camel spends a long time without food, the hump begins to significantly decrease in size and fall to one side. To put it in order, the camel needs rest and increased nutrition for several days.
Despite all of the above, the fat in the hump of a camel serves only as a food substitute and is not capable of releasing water.

Where do camels get water and where do they store it?

If the camel's hump plays virtually no role in the conservation and production of water, a completely logical question arises: “where do camels get water from and where do they store it?” This question can be answered very easily - camels simply drink and drink a lot; an animal can drink up to 75 liters of water at a time. Despite this, camels drink only to quench their thirst and restore normal water levels in the body, while they are unable to store water for the future.

How do camels survive without water?

The secret of camels lies in their unique body.
Firstly, camels are able to minimize the loss of moisture from the body; they defecate extremely rarely, while their excrement is very dry, and their urine is highly concentrated. Moreover, the breathing of camels is structured in such a way that moisture does not leave the body with exhaled air, but condenses on the walls of the nasal concha and flows back. An equally important feature of the body of these mammals is the ability to tolerate large changes in body temperature. During the day, a camel's body temperature can vary from 32.2 °C to 40.6 °C, and only when it reaches the highest tolerable temperature does the camel begin to sweat. For comparison, the normal human body temperature is 36.6 °C and an increase of just 1 °C can already mean that you are sick.
Secondly, camels are very resistant to dehydration: they can normally tolerate a loss of 30-40% of body water. For comparison, a loss of 20% of water is fatal for a person, while a loss of 10% causes painful disorders.

Why does a camel have a hump on its back?

After reading this article, few people will have this question, because we already understand that the hump serves as a source of food for camels. But if you think about it, many animals have fat, distributed throughout the body, and only camels store it in their hump. Why? As you know, nature never does anything for nothing, and camel’s hump actually has several other beneficial properties. Since the sun predominantly shines from above, the camel's hump serves as a shield, protecting the animal from solar radiation. In addition, since fat betrays heat much worse than water, the hump prevents the body from heating up in direct sunlight. The blood is also protected from heat: due to the fact that fat cells do not need oxygen, the blood vessels pass below the hump, in an area of relative coolness. Among other things, some species of camels have thicker hair on their backs, while the hair on all other parts of the body is much thinner. This body structure helps repel heat from direct sunlight above and cool the camel from below.

In areas where Bactrians are bred, they are of economic importance as pack and draft animals, as well as a source of milk, meat and leather. In nomadic or semi-nomadic farming, camels are kept on free grazing all year round; in sedentary farming, in places with harsh winters, they are kept without a leash in sheds with a walking yard; in the southern regions, they are often kept under sheds. The camel shed must be dry, with regularly changing bedding (from the remains of hay, weeds, reeds). In winter, in case of severe frost, camels are sometimes covered with felt blankets.

The working Bactrian is valued primarily for such qualities as endurance and resistance to extreme conditions. During long journeys, he travels 30-40 km a day and carries packs of 250-300 kg, that is, almost half of his own weight. Under a rider, a camel can travel over 100 km a day, reaching speeds of up to 10-12 km/h. A camel under a pack walks at a speed of approximately 5 km/h, that is, noticeably slower than the average horse, but in terms of endurance and undemandingness it far surpasses any horse or donkey. N. M. Przhevalsky noted that where a camel finds enough food for itself and does not experience hunger, horses would die from lack of food. The same applies to Bactrian’s resistance to low temperatures. It is significant that Bactrian camels were used in the past even in the extremely harsh and cold conditions of Yakutia for winter transportation of goods in the mines. A camel is much more often used as a pack animal rather than a draft animal, although when harnessed to a cart, it can carry a load 3-4 times its own weight. The fact is that on a bad or damp road, Bactrian can quickly knock down and damage plantar calluses. According to eyewitnesses, on a wet road he, moreover, unlike a horse, slips a lot.

Controlling a camel, according to some authors, is much more difficult than controlling a horse, since the Bactrian is stubborn and can balk for no apparent reason. The Bactrian is also very fastidious in keeping and requires, on average, more attentive and thorough care than a horse. Camels are harnessed for permanent work when they reach at least 4 years of age.

The presence of two humps greatly facilitates loading the Bactrian, as well as riding a horse - a person is easily held between the humps. For this reason, a saddle is not necessary for riding a Bactrian camel, but the “correct” bridling of a Bactrian also includes the presence of a saddle. The peoples who use the Bactrian camel have different types of saddles, some of which are richly decorated and beautiful. Loading a Bactrian requires a certain skill, because a poorly fitted pack, when worn for a long time, can damage the humps and back so much that the camel becomes unsuitable for further use.

Breeding areas for domestic camels

The domestic Bactrian camel is native to the regions of Central Asia. It is one of the main domestic animals in Mongolia and neighboring areas of China (Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Inner Mongolia, Gansu Province). There are many Bactrians in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and other countries of Central Asia, and in a number of places the Bactrian camel overlaps with the domestic dromedary.

The largest number of domestic camels is in China - it is estimated that in this country, as well as in Mongolia, a total of about 2 million domestic animals are kept. From time immemorial, the Bactrian camel had a special meaning for the Mongols, where it was traditionally ranked as one of the “five heads” - animals on whose breeding the traditional way of life of nomads rests (along with the horse, yak, sheep and goat). Even today, despite technological advances, Bactrian camels account for about a third of all freight transport in the Gobi Desert. As of 2008, there were about 266.4 thousand domestic camels in Mongolia; this number, however, is constantly decreasing due to the increase in the number of cars (in 1954 there were 895.3 thousand, in 1985 - 559 thousand).

In the Soviet Union, breeding of Bactrian camels (like camel breeding in general) was a fairly developed branch of animal husbandry, practiced mainly in the Kazakh and Kyrgyz SSR and the steppe regions of the RSFSR - the Kalmyk ASSR, the Tuva Autonomous Okrug, the Astrakhan, Volgograd, and Chita regions. At the end of the 1960s, Bactrian camels accounted for 44% of the total population of domestic camels in the USSR, numbering 264 thousand heads (one-humped 34% and bunk hybrids - 22%). Currently in Russia, camel breeding is of greatest importance in Buryatia, where it is practiced north to 55° N. w. - the animals bred there are the most northern representatives of the family.

In the USSR, mainly three breeds of Bactrians were bred - Kalmyk, Kazakh and Mongolian, among which the Kalmyk was considered especially noteworthy. Camels of this breed are significantly superior to animals of other breeds in size, live weight, wool and milk production. The history of the Kalmyk breed goes back to the first quarter of the 17th century, when Kalmyk tribes wandered from Dzungaria to the lower reaches of the Volga and stole cattle and camels with them. Nomadic farming with year-round grazing and difficult climatic conditions (frequent snowstorms and ice) often led to mass deaths of camels. Only the strongest, hardiest and healthiest individuals survived. As a result of natural selection, Kalmyk camels acquired properties and characteristics that distinguished them favorably from other domestic breeds. However, Kalmyk camels are relatively rare - about 90% of the domestic camel population in the post-Soviet space is of the Kazakh breed. In the Russian Transbaikalia, a variety of the Mongolian breed is found mainly.

In modern Kazakhstan there are about 200 thousand Bactrian camels. The production of camel milk and fermented milk drinks from it is considered by the country's authorities as a very promising area of livestock farming and is supported by special government programs.

In addition to countries with traditional breeding of Bactrians, domestic Bactrian camels can also be found in New Zealand and a number of areas of the USA, where domestic camels have been kept in places for a long time - for example, in 1860, 15 Bactrian camels were brought to the USA for use in transporting salt in desert areas. There are Bactrians in Iran and Pakistan.

Types and breeds of camels

The camel genus (Camelus) is divided into two independent species: Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) and one-humped camels (Camelus dromedaries).

Bactrians

The specific features of the Bactrian, in addition to two humps, are a long, massive body with relatively short legs and good hair growth, consisting of fine down and awns. It is the good hair growth that allows the Bactrian to exist in areas with harsh winters without suffering from the cold.

The facial part of Bactrian is wide in the eye sockets, with relatively short facial bones. The neck is shorter than that of the dromedary, but more arched. Along the upper edge the mane reaches 40-60 cm in males, along the entire lower edge there is a beard, and on the forearms there is a “breeches”. The distance between the bases of the front and rear humps is 20-40 cm. This gap is not filled with fat, even in well-fed camels. The base of the posterior hump ends at the line of the ilium. The shoulders and sacrum are poorly developed.

Bactrians often have such exterior defects in the positioning of the limbs as markings, sunken wrists, closeness of the hock joints, and sabering of the hind limbs. These animals are less adapted to pack caravan service than dromedaries.

Kazakh Bactrians

Kazakh Bactrians They live in the Caspian lowland, the Aral Karakum desert, Muyunkum, along the right and left banks of the Syr Darya river. The best camels of this breed are bred in the Ural region. The Kazakh Bactrian is a compact, proportionally built animal, with an elongated body and well-developed muscles of the anterior girdle. Animals are low-legged, with relatively deeper chests.

Milk productivity for the first seven months of lactation is 1200 l, fat content - 6.12%, protein - 3.82, milk sugar - 4.98 and ash - 0.95.

The wool clipping from breeding males is 10.5-11.5 kg, from queens - 5.4 - 5.7 kg, and for some males the clipping reaches 20-21 kg. From young animals 1-2 years old they get 3 - 4.5 kg. The yield of washed wool is 80-90%.

Kalmyk Bactrians

Kalmyk Bactrians- the most valuable of the Bactrian breeds. This is the smallest breed, distinguished by its size, body weight, tall and bony. For example, the champion in live weight camel Beke-Har - exhibit BCXB in 1939 had a mass of 1247 kg.

Camels of the Kalmyk breed were brought to Russia at the beginning of the 17th century, during the period of resettlement of Kalmyks from Dzungaria to the regions of the right bank of the Volga, in the territory of modern Kalmykia and the Astrakhan region. This zone includes year-round pastures of the so-called Black Lands with their relatively mild climate and abundant vegetation, which have a beneficial effect not only on breeding, but also on the improvement of animals of these breeds.

According to available information, in 1803 there were more than 60 thousand Kalmyk Bactrians in Russia. In 1928 there were 5.5 thousand, in 1941 - 4.5 thousand heads. Currently, 685 Kalmyk camels are registered in the republic. The main population of camels, in the amount of 365 heads, is located in the camel breeding plant SPK Polynyny, 116 heads in JSC Kirovsky, 84 heads in SPK Erdnievsky and about 50 heads in SPK Kharba. A small number of camels are found in the Lagansky, Ketchenerovsky and Iki-Burulsky districts.

Kalmyk camels are widespread in the Astrakhan region and Kazakhstan. According to scientists from the Kalmyk Research Institute of Agriculture, there are more than 5.5 thousand animals there. The most valuable livestock of Kalmyk camels is concentrated in the Aksaraysky state breeding plant in the Astrakhan region, the Suyunduksky state breeding plant, and the breeding state farm named after. Kurman Gazy, at the Balkundinsky breeding farm in the Guryev region, at the Urdinsky breeding state farm and named after. Temira Masin, Ural region of Kazakhstan. Breeding animals bred in the Astrakhan region and Kazakhstan are larger than their Kalmyk relatives. Therefore, it is desirable to purchase breeding males and further breeding use of them in order to increase the live weight and wool clippings of Bactrians bred in Kalmykia.

The Kalmyk Bactrian is the most massive, powerful and large camel among the breeds of Bactrian camels bred all over the world. The height (height) of this animal is 180 cm, body length is 160 cm, chest girth is 229 cm and pastern is 20 cm. The average living weight of camels is 650-700 kg. In 1939, phenomenal Bactrians from the Chernozemelsky ulus of the Kalmyk Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic were exhibited at an agricultural exhibition in Moscow, including Beke-Khar II, who weighed 1247 kg at the age of 9 years, and Tolga I, who weighed 1180 kg at the same age. The camel Oner-Shargi weighed 985 kg. As a rule, Kalmyk Bactrians are calm, good-natured and obey people well. In the process of phylogenetic development of the breed, three types were formed - characteristic, massive and lightweight. The color of Bactrians in most cases is represented by various variants: brown - 51.1%; dark brown – 11.4%; light brown – 9.3%; light yellow - 15.7% and rarely white - 14.5%. White markings on brown camels occur in the form of blazes and bald spots. Regardless of color, the color of coarse fur: beards, bangs, manes, the edges of humps and riding breeches is somewhat darker than the color of the fur over the entire surface of the animal’s body.

The head is small, dry, wide in the forehead, with a pointed muzzle. The neck is set large and beautifully curved. The sacrum is wide, somewhat drooping. Live weight, depending on the breed type, ranges from 560 to 718 kg.

The animals feed well, the average daily gain in the spring-summer period reaches 1145 g.

The live weight of a newborn camel is 51 kg, which is 7% of the mother’s live weight.

The musculature of camels is well developed, the humps are large in height and length. The constitution is emphatically dense and dry, in some animals with a slight bias towards tenderness. Among animals of this breed, white individuals are more common.

When moving, they surpass other breeds in speed, and in terms of carrying capacity they are not inferior to heavy-duty horses. They are characterized by a clear and correct step and amble.

Kalmyk Bactrians also have good wool productivity and produce high quality wool. From the famous breed champion at BCXB in 1939, Tolga, 21 kg of excellent quality wool were obtained annually. The amount of coarse fibers in the fleece increases with age: in camels they make up from 9 to 16% of the weight of the fleece, in adults - 28-47%. The largest amount of soft wool is in the fleece of young animals at the age of one year. There are more downy fibers in the fleece of queens than in breeders.

The average milk yield of camels of the Kalmyk breed for 18 months of lactation is 1200 l (with fluctuations from 769 to 1717 l) with a milk fat content of 6.9%. In autumn, milk contains more fat than in summer.

Mongolian Bactrians

Mongolian Bactrians- the smallest of the Bactrians, but at the same time they have a well-defined broad-bodied type. They were brought to Kazakhstan in 1936 from Mongolia. Some of the animals that came to the south of the republic for breeding noticeably changed their appearance under better growing conditions. Already the first generation of Mongolian camels was significantly larger than their parents. The Shaulder camel breeding plant, where they were bred, provided the best opportunities for raising camels. In particular, the queens were not used for work or milked, and their milk was used to feed suckling young animals. And the vegetation of the pastures in the south of the republic was much more diverse and richer than the deserts of Mongolia. This once again proves that by changing the conditions of detention for the better, you can change the type of animals.

Animals of this breed are distinguished by a thick coat with a significant amount of fluff. The wool clipping for males is 8.1 kg, for females - 5.2 kg.

Over 17 months of lactation, camels produce 319 liters of milk with a fat content of 5.65%.

Males are somewhat superior to females in terms of measurements and hair clipping.

Dromedaries

Dromedaries live in more southern and warmer regions, as they do not tolerate cold winters well. They are bred in the south of Kazakhstan, as well as in Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and other countries.

The specific characteristic of the dromedary is the presence of one compact hump, a short body on long legs, and, compared to Bactrians, a weaker coat development. They have light bones and thinner skin.

Dromedaries are faster maturing animals; the pregnancy of the queens is three weeks shorter than that of Bactrians.

The head of the dromedary has elongated facial bones, a convex forehead, a hook-nosed profile, lips are thin and mobile, and do not compress like those of horses and cattle. The lower lip is often drooping, the cheeks are greatly enlarged and a large amount of food is placed between them and the molars. The soft palate can protrude from the mouth and hang down by 30-40 cm. This is observed in males during the period of sexual arousal.

The dromedary's neck has well-developed muscles, is long, and mobile. Their bangs and mane are not developed, the beard grows only in the upper part of the neck, there is no “breeches”, but in the area of the shoulder blade there are “epaulets”, consisting of long crimped hair, absent in Bactrian.

Turkmen Arvana

We breed one breed of dromedaries - the Turkmen Arvana. These are large, well-built animals with a deep and wide chest, strong bones and well-developed muscles.

Arvana camels are early maturing animals: sexual maturity occurs by the age of two, females are allowed into mating from the age of three with a weight of 350-400 kg. Males are used for mating from 4-5 to 15-16 years of age. Reproduction of dromedaries and arvana is limited by the season of the year - from January to April. The average fruiting period is 385 days; a camel gives birth every year. In Turkmenistan, compact mating of camels is practiced, which makes it possible to produce two camels in three years.

The weight of camel calves at birth is 38-40 kg. Intensive weight gain in camel calves persists during the first year of life; the average daily gain is 950-1,030 g. Weaning occurs at one year of age.

In terms of milk productivity, Arvana dromedaries are close to factory breed cows. The duration of the lactation period is 15-18 months, V.M. Popova (1948) for a group of queens of the camel breeding plant “Sakar-Chaga” for 13 months of lactation determined the average milk production equal to 4387 kg, in the first foals - 3117 kg of milk. The average daily milk yield of individual animals is 15 kg, the record average daily milk yield is 19 kg, S. M. Terentyev (1975) notes that in addition to the suckling of camel calves, in 12 months of lactation each camel can produce 1718 kg of marketable milk with a fat content of 4.13, depending Camels are milked manually for milk production 2-6 times a day. Machine milking is also practiced.

The qualitative composition of dromedary milk, according to P.V. Kugenev (1982), has the following ratios (%): dry matter 13.6, total protein 3.5, milk sugar 4.9, ash 0.7. The acidity of freshly milked milk is 20-25°T. The increased bactericidal properties of camel milk slow down the increase in acidity and allow it to be stored (at 30°C) for up to 24 hours and transported fresh. The high nutritional, dietary and medicinal properties of camel milk and its processed products have long been known to the peoples of Central Asia and Kazakhstan.

Arvan dromedaries fatten well on pastures and, when slaughtered, produce good and tasty meat, a slaughter yield for animals of average fatness. at the age of 2-3 years is 54.2%.

The average wool clip is 3.23 kg for males and 2.10 kg for females. The fleece wool of adult Arvana is 91.2% sheared, the fiber yield is 78.6%. The fineness of the wool is 12-27 microns, the length of the fibers is 4-12 cm. Dromedar wool has valuable technological properties: low thermal conductivity, softness, and strength. Various technical and warm fabrics are made from it. The local population uses camel wool to produce natural yarn and knitwear.

The main method of breeding the Arvana breed is purebred breeding, which involves improving the breed and productive qualities of animals through targeted selection. In recent years, work to improve the breeding and productive qualities of Arvan dromedaries has been carried out on the basis of a selection and breeding plan developed by the Turkmen Institute of Livestock and Veterinary Medicine. Animals with a strong constitution, large weight, high productivity indicators and known linear origin are selected for the core of the reproductive composition in breeding farms. When selecting animals, much attention is paid to the adaptive qualities of arvaia - the ability to maintain good fatness and productivity in extreme conditions of year-round grazing.

The selection and breeding program for the Arvana breed is being developed taking into account the existing breed types. In each type, new lines, families and their crosses are created based on outstanding animals. These breeding methods make it possible to maintain the genetic diversity of the breed, independent breeding of individual breed types within the breed, and improvement of the breed and productive qualities of the entire Arvana dromedary population.

Arvana has good working qualities when used under a pack. The average weight of a pack for transportation over a distance of 30-35 km is 240-260 kg, and for long journeys 180-200 kg.

Arvan queens have high milk production. During the first 12 months of lactation, they produce an average of 2000 liters, and from the best up to 3000 liters or more, with a fat content of 4.3%.

The wool productivity of dromedaries is significantly lower. Adult male camels are sheared about 4 kg (from the best - up to 5.5), from queens - 2 kg (from the best - up to 3.5), from young animals 1-2 years old - 1.5-2 kg.

The color of dromedaries is from light to dark brown.

Appearance of a camel

Where do dromedaries and bactrians live?

The habitat of dromedary camels is considered mainly to be Africa. But they can also be found in central Asia. More than 100 years ago, dromedaries were even brought to the Australian continent.

Bactrians are inhabitants of the Asian part of the Eurasian continent. They live in Mongolia, China, India, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Kalmykia.

It is worth noting that camels are becoming less and less common in the wild, as they are being massively domesticated by humans (this is especially true for Bactrians).

Camel behavior and lifestyle

Listen to the voice of a dromedary camel

Camels are very good swimmers, despite their height and weight.

What do two-humped and one-humped camels eat?

Camel breeding

The mating season for these animals begins in the winter months (December - February).

Natural enemies of the camel

Usually, none of the animals attacks adults. But the same cannot be said about little camels: they are a favorite object

The largest representative of the callosopod suborder.

Taxonomy

Russian name - Bactrian camel
Latin name - Camelus bactrianus
English name - Domestic bactrian camel
Order - artiodactyla (Artiodactyla)
Suborder - callosopods (Tylopoda)
Family - camelids (Camelidae)
Genus - camels (Camelus)

There are wild and domestic Bactrian camels. The wild camel in Mongolia, its homeland, is called haptagai, in contrast to the domestic one - bactrian (the word comes from the name of the ancient region in Central Asia, Bactria).

Conservation status of the species

The domestic Bactrian camel is a common animal in Central Asia, Mongolia and China. In Russia, the largest number of camels are kept in Buryatia and Kalmykia. The world population exceeds 2 million animals.

The wild Bactrian camel is a very rare animal, listed in the IUCN Red List, in the CR category - a species in critical danger of extinction. The population of these animals numbers only a few hundred individuals. According to some reports, the wild camel is the eighth most endangered mammal in terms of threat.

Species and man

The domestic Bactrian camel has long been an important pet in many areas of Asia. First of all, it is a reliable vehicle in desert conditions. People use milk, meat, skin, and camel wool, from which they make a wide variety of knitted and felted products. Even the dung of this animal is very valuable: it serves as an excellent fuel.

The domestication of camels dates back to ancient times. The earliest archaeological information about the breeding of Bactrians dates back to the 7th–6th millennia BC. e. A number of sources indicate that domestic camels appeared about 4,500 years ago. The discovery of a vessel with dung from a Bactrian camel and the remains of the camel’s hair, made during excavations of ancient settlements in eastern Iran, dates back to 2500 BC. e. One of the oldest images of a domestic camel being led by the bridle by a man dates back to the 9th century BC. e. It is carved on the famous Black Obelisk of the Assyrian king Shalmaneser III and is now in the British Museum. Another image was discovered on the ruins of the Apadana Hall of the palace of the Persian kings in Persepolis, dating back to the 5th century. BC e.

The Bactrian camel has survived in the wild and was first described as a species in 1878 by the famous Russian explorer N. M. Przhevalsky in Mongolia. Currently, the population of the “savage” continues to decline, mainly due to poaching and competition with livestock.

The domestic camel is somewhat different from the wild one, which gives some scientists reason to distinguish them as separate species, or at least subspecies. The question of the direct origin of Bactrian from the modern wild camel also remains open.

The largest representative of the order Callopods

Distribution and habitats

The wild camel in the past apparently occurred over a vast area of much of Central Asia. Now the range of khaptagai (as the locals call it) is small and is represented by four broken areas in Mongolia and China.

The domestic Bactrian camel is bred primarily in the steppe and semi-desert regions of eastern Central Asia, Mongolia and neighboring territories of Russia and China; The world population of Bactrians exceeds 2 million. Breeds of domestic camels have been bred: Kazakh, Kalmyk and Mongolian, which differ in size, quality of coat, shape and size of humps.
As for the modern life of wild Bactrian camels, they constantly migrate from one area to another, but mainly their habitats are rocky, desert plains and foothills with sparse and rough vegetation and rare sources of water. However, camels need water to survive; groups of camels in their habitats are strongly attached to reservoirs and springs. After the rains, groups of camels gather on the banks of rivers or at the foot of mountains, where temporary floods form. In winter, camels make do with snow to quench their thirst. Wild camels are also found in mountainous areas, and they move so well on steep slopes that they are not much inferior to mountain sheep.

In the hot season, haptagai rise quite high - it was noted that they are found at an altitude of 3300 m above sea level. In winter, animals migrate 300–600 km to the south and often stay in mountain valleys, which protect them from the wind, or along dry watercourses. If oases with poplar groves are not occupied by humans, the haptagai spend the winter, and especially autumn, near them. Wild camels are characterized by wide migrations during the day, even with an abundance of food, which is sometimes associated with watering places. Thus, observations have shown that camels can travel 80–90 km or even more per day.

Appearance and morphology

The appearance of the Bactrian camel is so unique and characteristic that it cannot be confused with any other animal. Bactrians are very large animals - the height at the withers often exceeds 2 meters and can reach 2.3 meters, the height of the body with humps is up to 2.7 m. An adult male camel weighs on average about 500 kg, but often much more - up to 800 and even 1000 kg. Females are smaller: 320–450 kg, in rare cases up to 800 kg.

A barrel-shaped body on long knobby legs, with the hind legs as if attached to the general contour of the body, a long curved neck, a rather large head with expressive eyes, pubescent double rows of eyelashes and, of course, humps - this is a camel. In a well-fed camel, the humps stand straight, and their shape is individual for each animal; in a thin camel, the humps completely or partially fall to one side, but rise again when the animal eats itself. The name of the suborder - callosalfoot - is due to the structure of the leg, ending in a forked foot resting on a callus pad, which in Bactrian is very wide, allowing the animal to walk on loose soil. On the front of the foot there is a kind of claw or small hoof. The tail is quite short, with a tuft of long hair at the end. The lips of camels are unusual - they are very mobile, at the same time fleshy, tough, adapted to tearing off the coarsest and thorniest vegetation. The upper lip of all camelids is forked. The ears are round and very small, almost indistinguishable from a great distance. On the back of the head there are paired glands, especially developed in the male, the black, viscous and odorous secretion of which is used for marking territory.

The color of the camel is brown-sand of various shades, from almost white to dark chestnut. The coat is very thick and long (about 7 cm on the body, and up to 30 cm or even more on the bottom of the neck and on the tops of the humps). The structure of the Bactrian's fur is similar to that of the inhabitants of the North - the polar bear and the reindeer: the guard hairs are like tubes, hollow inside. Together with the thick undercoat, this contributes to the low thermal conductivity of the camel's coat. Moulting in camels is also unique - it begins with the onset of warm days and proceeds very quickly. The old fur falls out, coming off the body in large tufts, or even layers, and the new one does not have time to grow during this time, so at the end of May - June the camel in the zoo is practically “naked”. However, 2-3 weeks pass, and the handsome Bactrian is covered with smooth, thick, velvety hair, which will become especially long by winter.

Camels have several morphological and physiological features that allow them to survive in extremely harsh conditions. The camel suffers dehydration that is fatal to all other animals. This animal can survive by losing up to 40% of water in its body (other animals die with a loss of 20% of water). A camel's kidneys can absorb much of the water from urine and return it to the body, so the urine produced is extremely concentrated. The erythrocytes (red blood cells) of camels are oval (in all other mammals they are round), so the blood maintains normal fluidity even with severe thickening, since the narrow oval erythrocytes pass through the capillaries without obstruction. In addition, camel red blood cells have the ability to accumulate liquid, increasing in volume up to 2.5 times. Bactrian manure is much more concentrated than cattle manure - it contains 6–7 times less water and consists of a mixture of coarse, almost dry plant fibers (Bactrian manure is well formed in the form of oblong pellets measuring 4x2x2 cm). When severely dehydrated, a camel noticeably loses weight, but when given access to water, it restores its normal appearance literally before our eyes.

A number of features of the external structure also make it possible to maximize the savings of water reserves in the body. Water evaporation is minimized because the camel keeps its nostrils tightly closed, opening them only during inhalation and exhalation. The camel's ability to thermoregulate is also known. Unlike other mammals, a camel begins to sweat only if its body temperature reaches +41 °C, and its further increase becomes life-threatening. At night, a camel’s body temperature can drop to +34 °C.

The fat contained in the humps is not broken down into water, as was believed for a long time, but plays the role of a food reserve for the body. It also serves to insulate the camel's body, accumulating primarily on the back, which is most exposed to the sun's rays. If fat were evenly distributed throughout the body, it would prevent heat from leaving the body. Both humps can contain up to 150 kg of fat.

Lifestyle and social organization

The Bactrian camel is an animal that is active during daylight hours. At night he either sleeps or is inactive and busy chewing gum. During hurricanes, camels can lie motionless for several days. In inclement weather, they try to hide in bushes or ravines; in extreme heat, they willingly walk, fanning themselves with their tails, against the wind with their mouths open, lowering their body temperature.

As for social organization, the maintenance of domestic Bactrian camels is under the control of a person who comprehensively determines their life. If camels happen to go wild, they restore the social structure characteristic of their wild ancestor. Wild Bactrian camels live in small herds of 5–20 heads (sometimes up to 30), mainly consisting of females and young animals; the leader is the dominant male. Adult males are often found alone. A herd of camels can also include young, sexually mature males, but only outside the rutting period.

Nutrition and feeding behavior

The Bactrian camel is a herbivore and can feed on the roughest and least nutritious food. It is able to eat plants with such spines that no other animal is able to eat. The camel's diet is quite varied. Of course, they love cereals, they eat camel thorn with pleasure, but they also quite willingly eat shrub and semi-shrub saltworts, onions, barnyard grass, parsifolia with its juicy large leaves, they eat ephedra and young shoots of saxaul, and in the fall in the oases - poplar leaves and reeds. When camels are hungry, they can eat animal bones and skins, and even objects made from them. The Bactrian camel is able to withstand very long periods of fasting. It is so adapted to meager food that for the health of a domestic camel, constant underfeeding may be better than abundant nutrition.

Camels show equally high endurance in relation to water. For example, wild camels come to springs no more than once every few days. If they are disturbed there, they can go without water for two or even three weeks - especially in the summer, when there is a lot of moisture in the plants after the rains. The Bactrian camel is notable for its ability to drink brackish water from desert reservoirs without harm to health. This, however, apparently applies only to wild camels - domestic ones avoid drinking salt water. In general, the animal's need for salt is very high - for this reason, domestic camels need to ensure the constant availability of salt bars. Camels in general, and Bactrian camels in particular, are known for their ability to drink huge amounts of water at once. In case of severe dehydration, Bactrian can drink up to 100 liters at a time.

If there is a good food supply, both wild and domestic camels become very fat by autumn. But camels suffer more than, for example, horses in winter from deep snow and especially ice, since due to the lack of real hooves, they cannot, like horses, dig out the snow and feed on the vegetation underneath it.

Vocalization

Camels are not particularly talkative creatures. However, during the rut, males are characterized by a loud roar, which is heard very often. Excited animals make sounds similar to muttering and loud whistles. Cubs calling their mothers roar in higher voices; mothers respond with the same sounds, but lower in frequency.

Reproduction and raising offspring

Female camels become adults at the age of 2–3 years, males somewhat later, sometimes at 5–6 years. The rut of Bactrian camels occurs in the fall. At this time, males behave very aggressively. They attack other males and even try to mate with them, constantly roar loudly, run and rush about; foam comes out of their mouth. Animals make sounds similar to muttering and a sharp, drawn-out whistle. During the rut, dominant males herd females into groups and do not allow them to disperse. In this state, a male camel can be dangerous to both humans and animals. Male domestic camels are often tied or isolated when signs of the rut occur for safety reasons. In Mongolia, rutting camels kept on free grazing wear warning red bands around their necks.

Rutting males often engage in fierce fights with each other, during which they crush the enemy with their necks, trying to bend them to the ground and knock them down. Usually calm and submissive male camels at the moment of sexual arousal become dangerous, vicious, they can attack using their fangs, and beat with their front and hind legs. If teeth are used (usually they grab the opponent’s head with their teeth) or legs, then serious injuries are possible, including the death of one of the fighters. In herds of domestic camels, sometimes only the intervention of shepherds saves the weaker camel from severe injuries. It happens that wild camels attack herds of domestic camels, kill the males and take away the females - therefore, Mongolian shepherds in the Trans-Altai Gobi drive herds of domestic camels away from the desert, into the mountains during the rut, in order to protect them from the raids of the haptagai.

During the rut, males actively use their occipital glands to mark territory, arching their necks and touching their heads to the ground and stones. They also spray their own urine on their hind legs and spread the urine over the back of their body using their tail. The female does the same. Mating in camels occurs while lying down. At the moment of mating, the male Bactrian foams from his mouth, loudly grinds his teeth, and throws his head back. After 13 months of pregnancy, the female gives birth to one camel. It weighs between 35 and 45 kg, which is approximately 5–7% of the mother's weight. Interestingly, a Bactrian camel weighs much less at birth (both absolutely and relative to the mother) than a one-humped camel, which weighs about 100 kg.

A newborn camel is able to follow its mother almost immediately (after about two hours). It has small rudiments of humps without internal fat, but already at the age of one or two months the humps take on a vertical position and become rounded at the base. The cub feeds exclusively on milk until 3–4 months, at which time it begins to try plant foods, but sucks for a long time. Lactation in a female lasts 1.5 years, and there are cases when grown cubs suckled their mothers at the same time as their younger newborn brothers. Camel cubs grow quickly; after reaching maturity, growth slows down, but stops only at the age of 7 years.

At the age of 3–4 years, males leave the maternal herd, form bachelor groups, and later acquire their own harem. A camel gives birth, as a rule, once every 2 years.

Lifespan

Camels live quite a long time, up to 40–50 years.

Keeping animals at the Moscow Zoo

Camels are not only one of the most common animals in zoos, but also one of the most beloved. What child would leave the zoo without seeing a camel! In the history of the Moscow Zoo, it seems, there was no period when we lived without camels, and both two-humped and one-humped camels were kept. Each had their own character, their own habits. The one-humped camel Pan was a feisty one and always tried to grab a person passing by by the head. And the two-humped giant Senya, who came to us from VDNKh, was, on the contrary, an amazing kind person.

When the zoo was being reconstructed, animals were transferred from one area to another. The camel Manka, Senya’s friend, was completely tame and simply followed the call of a familiar person who was holding a piece of bread in his hand. And a funny thing happened to Senya. The staff did not know that he had been bridle trained before and expected the camel to move away from the accessory. Senya, joyfully, but rather sharply moved his huge forehead head towards the man with the bridle, which caused quite a strong fright. It turned out that he was simply delighted with an object familiar from childhood and, happily putting on the bridle, calmly crossed Bolshaya Gruzinskaya Street.

Now the camel can be seen in the New Territory of the zoo; its enclosure is located opposite the entrance to the Exotarium. This is a female, more than 20 years ago she came from the Astrakhan region and now lives with Przhealsky horses, and this company suits everyone quite well. The animals do not show the slightest hostility towards each other, but if the horse presses its ears back (and this is a sign of dissatisfaction), the camel moves away. The camel often approaches visitors, who run away exclaiming: “Oh, he’s about to spit!” There is no need to be afraid, this peace-loving animal spits extremely rarely, only at veterinarians when it is being vaccinated. You don’t need to feed him either; all the animals in the zoo receive the food they need and is healthy for them. The camel is given hay, branches (which it prefers to hay), a mixture of cut vegetables and oats. Be sure to have a salt lick with a special set of salts in the feeder. The beast comes to talk to you. Smile at him!

Target- study breeding methods used in camel breeding.

In camel farming, as in other branches of livestock farming, purebred breeding, interbreeding and hybridization are widely used.

Purebred breeding

This is the main method of camel breeding. The goal of purebred breeding is to accumulate a certain gene pool, to improve animals of the breed by selecting the best individuals, scientifically based selection and targeted rearing of young animals.

With purebred breeding of Kalmyk Bactrians, and with proper use of the gene pool, the improvement of the livestock occurs in a relatively short period of time (in camel breeding, 10 years).

In the practice of breeding Arvana dromedaries, purebred breeding is also used.

The most reliable and promising direction for improving camel breeds during purebred breeding is the creation and improvement of intrabreed lines.

In purebred breeding, a distinction is made between related (inbreeding) and unrelated (outbreeding) mating, that is, the mating of animals that are related or unrelated.

Kinship mating must be used carefully, since its use may result in weakened animals that are subject to culling. When keeping commercial camels in herds, preference should be given to unrelated mating, which leads to improved animal health. In these cases, taking into account the genealogical composition of the herd, during shoal mating, the sire is fixed in the herd for 3 - 4 years. When replacement females - daughters - appear in the uterine composition of the herd, the sire is replaced by another, not related to the queens of this herd. If the quality of the sires is high, it is recommended to exchange them between farms, thereby eliminating the risk of closely related breeding and making better use of breeding animals.

With a consistent planned system of selection work, in order to enhance the hereditary properties of the ancestor or outstanding successors of the line, inbreeding may be allowed. For example, in the process of improving Kalmyk Bactrians, moderate inbreeding on an outstanding ancestor was allowed in degrees 3-3, 3-4, 4-4, 4-5, 5-5. In camel breeding, closely related mating of type 2 - 1 (father - daughter) or (mother - son) and II - II (brother - sister) is completely unacceptable.

To avoid decreased viability and other undesirable consequences of inbreeding, it is necessary to mate inbred queens with sires from other lines.

Purebred breeding of Bactrians involves careful selection based on exterior, body indices, fertility and milk production. The dams and sires of the selection herd must have a certain (standard for the breed) live weight, hair clipping and body measurements. Producers are separately assessed by mothers' milk productivity (milk yield and fat content).

The purpose of breeding purebred camels is to obtain animals of combined productivity with the predominant development of the milk production trait.

Many years of experience have shown that camels of any breed can be successfully used for milk production. However, it is more expedient to preserve and improve combined types: for example, the milk-meat-wool type, since this allows you to obtain a variety of products from the same animals and constantly receive additional profit.

Quite an exotic branch of livestock farming for Russia. However, we simply do not have any serious reasons not to engage in camel farming. These animals are quite unpretentious to their living conditions, so they tolerate the climate of the southern Volga region and the Far Eastern Arctic equally well, not to mention the western regions with a temperate climate.

Camel breeding industry

Modern camels are represented by two types - one-humped and two-humped. One-humped camels were tamed and domesticated about 6 thousand years ago, that is, at the same time as horses. Bactrians - two thousand years later.

In those parts of the world where camels are bred, they are important either as beasts of burden or as a source of valuable milk, meat, wool and leather. In hot countries, these animals are kept in a semi-nomadic manner, mainly on free grazing. In regions where winters are characterized by a significant (below zero) decrease in temperature, animals are kept in sheds and covered pens in a free-stall manner.

Working camels are valued for their unparalleled endurance and ability to easily endure the most extreme weather conditions while performing strenuous physical work. As a pack animal, a camel is capable of walking 30-40 km per day, carrying 250-300 kg of cargo. And although he is inferior to a horse in terms of speed of movement, the duration of the transitions and the amount of cargo carried, on the contrary, are greater.

As a source of meat, milk and wool, camels are in many ways comparable to cows. With an average animal weight of 500-700 kg and a meat yield of 55-60%, 250-350 kg of meat can be obtained from them. Milk yield is not impressive - 1500-2000 liters per year from a dairy camel, however, the fat content of camel milk is almost twice as high as that of cow milk. Camel milk also contains three times more vitamin C and 10 times more iron.

Bactrian camels are larger, stronger and more productive, especially the Kalmyk breed. However, some hybrids of two-humped and one-humped camels are characterized by even greater size and endurance.

Camel breeding in Russia and in the world

Initially, camels adapted to living in hot, arid regions of the planet, where other large herbivores could not survive. Several thousand years have passed since the domestication of these animals, but camels are still bred almost exclusively in desert and semi-desert areas.

Today, camel farming plays an important role in livestock production only in some Arab-Muslim countries with a significant area of deserts and semi-deserts. These are mainly countries of the Near and Middle East, as well as North Africa. Almost exclusively dromedary camels, which are more adapted to the heat, are bred here. The importance of camel farming in these countries has less to do with the usefulness of the animals and more with the need for traction power for transport and agriculture. Simply put, due to the total poverty of the population, people are forced to use camels instead of cars and tractors.

The situation is different with the countries of Central Asia, which were previously part of the USSR. Although, with the exception of richer Kazakhstan, their standard of living is comparable to the Arab world, camels (mostly Bactrian) are bred here mainly for their meat, milk and wool. But their use as beasts of burden also occurs.

Australia stands apart, where camels were brought in the century before last to transport goods in the desert parts of the country, and today they are used exclusively for racing.

In general, the world population of camels is about 14 million animals, of which about half are concentrated in the countries of North Africa and the Middle East. For this reason, 90% of the world's population are dromedary camels. Adapted not only to heat, but also to frost, Bactrian camels are in demand mainly in Central Asia, Mongolia and China.

As for Russia, camels are bred only in some regions adjacent to areas where these animals were once found in the wild. The most significant livestock to date has been recorded in the Astrakhan region (more than 4,100 heads), Kalmykia (about 1,000 heads), in Altai (about 500 heads) and in Transbaikalia (300 heads).

Is camel business possible in Russia?

When we say that camel breeding is not traditional for Russia, we are somewhat sinning against the truth. Camels were indeed never seriously bred in the regions that today belong to the Central, Central Black Earth, Northern and Northwestern economic regions. However, in the southern regions mentioned above (Volga region and Southern Siberia), camels have been bred since time immemorial. And camel breeding is very typical for these places.

The only reason why camels are bred only in the south is the fact that in other regions it is more profitable to raise other types of livestock - cows, sheep, goats, deer. Camel farming makes sense only if there are no suitable conditions in the area for more productive animals.

As already mentioned, in the world camels are bred mainly by residents of poor countries who need draft animals. Since we do not have this problem, camel farming in Russia is focused mainly on the production of meat, milk, wool and skins.

The main issue that worries entrepreneurs considering camel farming as a possible business direction is the prospects for marketing their products. Since the vast majority of Russians have never tried camel meat or camel milk, there seems to be no demand for these products. However, the production volumes of these products on a national scale are so insignificant that there is de facto competition. Thus, you can find sales channels if you wisely build a marketing strategy and present your products as rare exotics that are worth trying.

To understand what kind of sales market is potentially available, one statistical indicator should be cited: the city of Moscow alone eats more than 2.5 thousand tons of meat PER DAY! With such a scale of consumption, finding a niche for selling 100-200 kg of camel meat per day is not at all a problem. The main thing is to be able to position your products correctly.

Where to start breeding camels?

Of course, before you start investing money in creating a business, you first need to carefully calculate everything. Moreover, in the case of camels, ensuring living conditions and purchasing young animals is by no means the main problem that needs to be dealt with. Since Russia has no tradition of consuming camel meat and camel milk, you will have to first work out distribution channels, having at least obtained preliminary agreements with several wholesale buyers (restaurants, shops, sausage factories).

It is quite possible that you will only be able to find sales for your products in another region several hundred or even thousands of kilometers from the farm itself. Thus, it is necessary to study logistics issues and calculate whether it would be generally advisable to transport meat and milk over such a distance, and, if so, how transport costs can be minimized.

Camel farm registration

Creating a camel breeding farm is generally not much different from building an ordinary cattle farm with cows. After making sure that the enterprise will be profitable, you need to register with the local tax office as a peasant farm (peasant farm). You can also limit yourself to the status of an individual entrepreneur, but this will not provide any significant advantages, since taxation under a simplified system is also available for peasant farms.

The peasant farm format has clear advantages over LLCs, since the state is more active in helping small farms through benefits and subsidies. In principle, if you plan to start very small, for example, half a dozen animals, then you can go the route of registering a personal subsidiary farm, which does not pay taxes at all.

In addition to registering with the tax office, you also need to coordinate your activities with the veterinary service. Obtaining a veterinary certificate can be quite a challenge as there are many different standards and requirements for the quality of milk and meat. Moreover, the requirements are not only federal, but also local, which only complicates the task of the entrepreneur. You will spend much less money, time and effort if you seek help in this matter from a competent, specialized lawyer from the very beginning.

In the best case, all bureaucratic issues will take you two to three months and 20-30 thousand rubles. But this is the most optimistic version.

Farm location

The advantage of camels is that they can eat the worst and coarsest grass, which other animals would never eat. To create a camel farm, you do not need either rich water meadows or steppe herbs. In view of this, for relatively little money you can rent or buy land discarded by other farmers - poor sandy areas, salt marshes, etc.

By the way, it would be a good idea to open a small camel farm on a large livestock or crop farm. In this case, camels can be fed practically free food - discarded feed or even crop waste that is not suitable for feeding cows and sheep.

If you plan to open a farm in a sparsely populated region with huge no-man’s spaces of steppes and semi-deserts, then you can completely limit yourself to buying/renting one or two hectares for building the necessary outbuildings on them. In this case, for most of the year, when the ground is not covered with snow, the animals can be kept free-range, that is, free food.

It is quite difficult to calculate even approximately the amount of funds required for the construction of pens, sheds, a slaughterhouse and other outbuildings. Too much depends on the scale and format of the enterprise. But in any case, you need to assume that at the very beginning you will have to invest several million rubles.

Where to get animals?

If young cattle can be bought in any region of the country, then for camels you will have to go to one of the few camel breeding farms located in the Volga region or Southern Siberia. There they will charge about 70 thousand rubles for one baby camel, and even more for an adult. However, there is no point in buying adult animals, since they will not pay for themselves. If desired, you can purchase livestock abroad - in Kazakhstan or other countries of Central Asia.

You should buy young animals only after consultation with a specialized specialist who will tell you the optimal age and the quantitative ratio of males and females to be purchased. However, if the farm operates in relative proximity (no more than fifty kilometers) from another farm where there are males, then you can get by with camels alone. In this case, the male can be brought to them for insemination every few months. Although you will have to pay for insemination services, this approach may be more beneficial in terms of cost balance.

Personnel search and other organizational issues.

Camels are considered more capricious (in terms of character) than cows. But this is only true if you use them as beasts of burden. Caring for a regular meat and dairy herd is much easier. In fact, one or two herders are enough to cope with several dozen animals. Since no educational institution in Russia trains specialists in the care of camels, these positions will have to be filled simply by experienced cattle breeders who know how to handle cattle.

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