Morphometric studies on adult double humped camel of Ladakh, India

Abstract

In India, double humped camel is living in Nobra valley of Ladakh region at an altitude of 18,300ft. The animal has been declared critically endangered by IUCN (1998), yet the animal has not been explored in detail. The study was conducted along the breeding tract of the Nobra valley. Thirty out 70 double humped camels having been shifted from their natural habitat, Nobra valley to Government farm chichoot, near the capital city, Leh were also included in the study. Biometric studies were done and the body measurements included measurement of Heart girth, Body Length, Lower jaw, Height up to wither, Tail length, Neck length, Distance between two eyes, Ear length, Face length, Hump 1, Hump 2, Distance between two humps, Length of fore leg, Length of hind leg, Fore foot pad, Hind foot pad and Lower jaw. The animal has relatively shorter legs compared to Mongolian Bactrian. The various biometric characteristics recorded are presented.