Camels-A Perfect Design

14 Camels-A Perfect Design We've all seen pictures of camels carrying heavy loads across the sandy desert. For days on end, they walk without stopping for food or water. Have you ever wondered how they do it? For your answer, take a look at the big round hump sticking up on a camel's back. Camels are the only animals with humps. And it's the hump that gives camels the amazing ability to go for long periods of time without food or water. The hump is like a spare cupboard where the camel stores food and water for days when there is nothing to eat or drink. When life is good, and there is plenty to eat and drink, a camel's hump grows and grows. It can grow to as big as 40 kilograms under good eating conditions. The food is changed into fat and stored in the camel's hump. When there is nothing to eat or drink, camels automatically begin to use the stored fat in their hump. That's why they can survive for weeks without food and up to ten days without water.

Camels are like sponges. They can take in more than 130 litres of water in one short drink. That's a lot of water! In only a few minutes, all of this water goes directly to the camel's blood cells. Camels conserve water too. Nothing is wasted. They never know when they'll find the next watering hole. As they breathe out, their noses close quickly. The moisture in the breath stays in their bodies. Every little drop of water helps in the desert. After a long trek across the desert carrying 100 kilograms or more, a camel can lose up to 150 kilograms of weight. The camel's hump will become very small. The camel will look sick. Don't worry, though. As soon as this camel gets to an oasis, it will take in hundreds of litres of water. In a few minutes, it will start to look better. In a day, it will have regained most of its weight. Nature really has given camels the perfect system for surviving the hard desert life.