Sonid Bactrian Camels
The camels of China are all of the bi-humped, Bactrian type.
Camels are mainly distributed in the high plains, deserts and semi-deserts
of the north and northwest China.
Camels can tolerate extremely hot weather. They can suffer thirst, going
without watering for 7-8 days, even under the sun, and may lose as much
as 221 lbs of water which is about 22-25% of their body weight.
The Bactrian camel is a multi-purpose animal, mainly used for working and
producing wool, meat and milk.
The camel can travel 25-40 km per day for one month. A load of 330 lbs
can be carried for 7-8 hours a day at the ordinary speed of 25-35 km per
day. One camel can pull a load of 1650 lbs or 3300 lbs by two, per day
at normal walking speed.
The total production of wool is 11 lbs from the undercoat. As a percent
of the carcass, meat ranges 25-42%.
Camels can be milked when nursing young, lactation lasting about 14-16
months. Milking is not common for the Sonid,
which may produce 2 lbs of milk daily, 7 lbs being the highest.
Reference:
Cheng. P. (1984) Livestock breeds of China. Animal Production and Health
Paper 46 (E, F, S). Publ. by FAO, Rome,
217 pp.
Added April 26, 1996