dromedary and bactrian camels

nailit | 21:53 Sat 10th Mar 2012 | Animals & Nature

4 Answers

what do the names dromedary and bactrian mean?
thanks.
(I know the difference between a one humped and a two humped camel, I just want to know the etymology of the words, thanks)

isnt this amazing!

Halti collar

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mike11111

The etymology has nothing to do with the number of humps.

Dromedary is derived from the Greek dromos, meaning running.
Bactrian derives from Bactria, old name for a region in Afghanistan where these camels were found. The fact that the two types have a different number of humps is merely coincidental.

wardlaw

My dictionary gives Dromedary arising from Greek 'dromas' meaning running as they are used for racing. Bactrian gives me only a beast of burden but no other etymology

nailit

Question Author

Thanks guys, thats been great help.
TY.

nailit

Question Author

"A" great help

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