The humps on a camel's back are actually huge heaps of fat and flesh that can weigh as much as 80 pounds in a healthy camel. These humps help camels survive for weeks without food and water.
When water and food become scarce on the deserts where camels roam, the fatty humps serve as stored food and are used for nourishment. As the camel's body metabolizes or uses up the humps' stored fat, the hump becomes smaller and flabbier. So the longer the camel goes without eating, the smaller its hump gets. The size of a camel's hump helps determine a camel's health, food sources, and overall well-being.
These humps, or reserves of fat, are the reason why camels can go for days without water and food. While humans are supposed to drink 8 glasses of water a day, camels can go without water for up to 2 weeks!
Camel characteristics:
* Camels are the only animals with humps.
* Got milk? Camels can produce up to 600 liters of milk a year.
* Camels can close their nostrils.
* Camels eat just about anything. When camels are really hungry and there is no food around, they won't think twice about gobbling up people's tents, sandals, or blankets.
* Camels as professional boxers? In some countries camels are a source of entertainment. For example, camel fighting attracts audiences of all ages in several countries around the world.
* Are camels faster than a speeding bullet? Well not quite. But camels can run just as fast as horses, if not faster. Similar to horse races in the United States, camel races are a popular sport in Morocco.
Source: Care2
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