The camel of cold deserts
When people think of camels, they often picture the single-humped dromedary of hot Arabian and African deserts. The Bactrian camel is different. It has two humps, a heavier build, and a thick coat suited to a place where winter temperatures fall far below freezing and summer days can be hot. That combination describes the Gobi Desert and its surroundings well, and the camel is one of the animals most closely linked to the region.
Domestic Bactrian camels are kept by herders across southern Mongolia and in some other parts of the country. They are one of the traditional five animals of Mongolian herders, alongside horses, cattle (including yaks), sheep and goats, and they are often described as the animal of the desert zone.
Domestic and wild camels
There is also a truly wild camel living in remote parts of the Gobi, including areas along the border region. It is a distinct species rather than simply a camel that has escaped from herds, and it is regarded as seriously endangered. Visitors are very unlikely to see one, and you should not expect it on a typical trip. The camels you meet near a ger camp or a herder’s home are domestic animals, and treating them calmly and respectfully is part of good manners.
Adaptations to harsh conditions
Several features help the Bactrian camel survive where many animals would struggle.
- Humps store fat, not water. A common myth says the humps are water tanks. They hold fat, which serves as an energy reserve when food is scarce. A well-fed camel has firm, upright humps, while a thin one may have humps that flop to the side.
- Efficient with water. Camels can go a long time without drinking and then take in a large amount quickly when water is available. Exact limits depend on temperature, workload and the animal, so any precise number should be treated cautiously.
- A coat for extremes. In winter the camel grows a thick, shaggy coat, especially around the neck, humps and legs. In late spring it sheds in large patches, which can look alarming but is normal.
- Feet for sand and stones. Broad, padded feet spread the animal’s weight and help it walk over soft sand, gravel and rocky ground.
- Protection from dust. Long eyelashes, a double set of eyelids in some descriptions, and nostrils that can narrow help keep out blowing sand.
- A tolerant diet. Camels browse on tough, salty or thorny desert plants, including shrubs that many other livestock avoid.
A working animal
For centuries camels carried goods across Central Asia, and caravans are part of the history of trade across the region. Today motor vehicles have replaced them for most long-distance hauling, but camels still have several roles in Gobi herding life.
- Transport and load carrying. In some places camels are still used to move belongings, or ridden or driven in smaller-scale local work.
- Wool. Camel hair is collected, often by combing or at shedding time, and is used for yarn, blankets, socks and other textiles. It has a long tradition alongside sheep wool and cashmere wool.
- Milk. Camel milk is consumed and processed by families who keep camels. Details of local dairy practice vary, and wider dairy products practice in Mongolia is broader than camel milk alone.
- Hardiness through bad winters. Camels generally cope better with some hardships than other livestock, though no animal is immune to the severe winter conditions known as dzud.
Camels in culture
The camel shows up in Mongolian songs, folk stories and art. Camel festivals take place in some Gobi communities, usually celebrating the animals and their herders, with events such as races and parades. Dates and formats vary, so treat any specific schedule you read with caution and check local sources for current plans.
Visitors often get a chance to ride a camel on a Gobi trip, especially near sand dunes. A short ride is often organized for tourists. It is a different experience from a horse, since the rider sits between the humps and the animal rises and sits in a distinctive way. Camels can be stubborn or noisy, and they sometimes spit or groan, so keep a respectful distance unless a handler says otherwise. Ask the handler before taking photographs of someone’s animals or tack, as you would with any herder family’s belongings.
Why camels matter for the Gobi
Camel herding is a way to use arid land that could not support dense herds of other animals. Because camels range over wide areas and eat shrubs and tough plants, they fit the desert-steppe better than many other livestock. That makes them an important link between people and a fragile environment. As conditions change, including drier years, herders must keep adapting, and land use under climate change is debated.
If you plan to see Bactrian camels, southern Mongolia is the likeliest place, and a Gobi trip is the usual route. Spring brings the shedding season, and summer often offers the most comfortable travel conditions, while winter is cold and demanding, and conditions vary from year to year.