Asheville, NC – Dromedary or Bactrian? One Hump or Two? If you have not seen a real camel, now is your chance in Western North Carolina. Come to the WNC Nature Center, 75 Gashes Creek Road in East Asheville between December 3rd and December 10th!
The single humped Dromedary Camel, Camelus dromedarius, is between 5’ 5” to 7’ 5” tall to shoulder, weighs 650-1600lbs. It’s a herbivore and an opportunistic eater. These camels can live 40-50 years, are found in Middle East and Northern Africa and Australia (where they were introduced). They may also in Namibia, Africa where they were also introduced.
The double humped Bactrian Camel Camelus bactrianus is 6’ to 8’ tall to shoulder and weighs 1300-2500lbs. It is also an herbivore and an opportunistic eater. Its lifespan is 40 years. These camels live in the Gobi desert in China and Mongolia.
On display at the WNC Nature Center from December 3rd through December 10th will be two female single humped Dromedary Camels, named Blue and Glory. Come on out and pick which camel suits you! For more information or specific questions on camels, please contact Henry Bulluck, Animal Curator, at 298-5600 ext. 311.