Fast Facts & Insights: Knowledge Cards

Camels, often called the "ships of the desert," are remarkable creatures adapted to survive in some of the harshest conditions on Earth, particularly in desert environments where water is a scarce commodity. This resilience is largely due to their extraordinary ability to manage without water for extended periods. In the cooler winter months, a camel can survive for up to six to seven months without directly drinking water. During these periods, they rely primarily on the moisture content found in their diet, which consists mainly of desert vegetation that holds moisture better than typical dry foods.

Despite their ability to abstain from water for months, camels have the capacity to rehydrate very quickly. When given the opportunity, a camel can drink up to 32 liters of water in just one drinking session. This incredible feat is possible because of their unique physiology. Their oval-shaped blood cells expand easily when water intake increases suddenly without bursting, unlike those of most other animals.

This exceptional adaptation prevents the camel from becoming waterlogged and allows it to replenish its body's water content at an optimal rate. Furthermore, camels store fat in their humps, rather than water as commonly misconceived. The fat can be converted to water and energy when sustenance is not available, providing an efficient way for them to endure long periods without food and water. This combination of physiological and behavioral adaptations makes camels the perfect navigators of the desert, capable of traveling vast distances over dunes and arid landscapes where few other creatures can survive.