Why are wild camels so rare?
How do wild camels differ from the domesticated ones we are familiar with?
What unique genes do wild camels carry that offer new insights into treating human diseases?
I. The "magical" wild camels.
Wild camels, also known as Bactrian camels, are actually the wild ancestors of domesticated camels and are one of the rarest and most precious species.
They adapt to extremely harsh environments, being smaller but stronger and more aggressive, enabling them to survive in extreme conditions.
However, the number of wild camels is extremely scarce, with fewer than 10,000 globally, mainly distributed in regions such as Gansu, Qinghai, and Xinjiang in China, especially the An'nanba Nature Reserve in Gansu.
The major difference between wild camels and domesticated ones lies in their habitat. Domesticated camels inhabit grasslands and desert areas, while wild camels inhabit deserts and desert areas, exhibiting stronger resistance to thirst.
Additionally, wild camels have the ability to adapt to extreme environments, with strong heat and cold resistance, capable of surviving in temperatures of over 100 degrees Celsius and even in environments below minus 40 degrees Celsius.
II. The "special" genes of wild camels.
In the An'nanba Nature Reserve, the population of wild camels is extremely rare, and experts have been observing and tracking them using infrared radar cameras.
The scene of wild camel mothers and their calves drinking by the water pool caused a sensation because wild camels have difficulties in reproduction, with a gestation period of about 13 months.
Despite the long gestation period, they only give birth to 1 to 2 calves each time, with a low survival rate, as many calves are killed by predators shortly after birth or die in extreme environments.
The scarcity of wild camels is mainly due to their harsh living environment and threats such as poaching and habitat destruction.
However, the antibody genes in wild camels provide new treatment strategies.
The double-chain antibody molecules produced by these genes have significant therapeutic effects on some diseases and have been applied to the treatment of human diseases, ultimately leading to the successful development of nanobodies, known as a new therapy.
III. Protecting the habitat of wild camels.
To protect wild camels, the government has implemented a series of protection measures, including the An'nanba Nature Reserve, one of the earliest nature reserves in China, which provides a relatively good living environment for wild camels, including water sources and habitats.
At the same time, the reserve restricts the behavior of tourists, prohibits poaching, and provides protection for wildlife.
The genes and characteristics of wild camels have brought enlightenment to the field of human medicine, but their numbers are extremely scarce, so we need to work together to protect wild animals and their habitats.
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