Buzz
Once you get past the spitting, camels actually have a certain charm—until you glimpse the inside of their mouths. It’s almost like staring into the Sarlacc pit from *Return of the Jedi*. What are those weird fleshy structures inside? What purpose do they serve? *What exactly is going on here?*
Those strange fleshy bits are oral papillae, and they're completely normal, explains Luis Padilla, Director of Animal Health at the St. Louis Zoo. "Papillae are raised structures found in different parts of the mouth, cheeks, and tongues of various species," he says. "There are many types of papillae, most of which serve mechanical purposes, while others are sensory, either detecting position or even taste. In ruminants, some of these papillae are particularly large, like the ones in the picture."
When papillae serve a mechanical purpose, Padilla explains, they’re usually cone- or triangular-shaped, working with the tongue and mouth muscles to guide food in a specific direction—usually toward the stomach (so, a camel's mouth is more like the Sarlacc pit in function than just looks!). Camels need these large papillae due to their diet. "Swallowing chewed leaves and sticks without mechanical help would be difficult," Padilla notes. "These papillae are somewhat firm and can feel like plastic, especially where they’re keratinized, which helps protect the mouth and cheeks from injury or abrasion." While all camelids have papillae, their size and shape can vary, and they can reflect the animal’s health, Padilla adds. "When the papillae are blunted or ulcerated, it can be a sign of illness."
Various animals, including humans, have papillae. "Humans have lots of small papillae, particularly on the tongue," says Padilla. "However, humans and most primates don't have papillae as large as those of camels or other ruminants. Thanks to our unique chewing habits and diet, we don’t require them to help move food in one direction across the cheek or esophagus." Padilla also notes, "Taste buds are located on a specific type of papilla, but not all papillae are taste buds."
Look inside the mouths of many fish-eating birds, reptiles, and fish, and you’ll spot various kinds of papillae. "There are about 10 to 15 types, each differing in shape, location, and function," Padilla explains. "Some species, like penguins or sea turtles, have such large, complex papillae that once something enters their throat, it can be hard to pull back out." Papillae aren’t just found in the mouth—Padilla mentions that they can also appear in the stomach, esophagus, and rumen of certain animals. Their size, shape, and firmness vary based on the species. Sea turtles, for example, have soft papillae."
Now, back to camels—Padilla also wants to highlight something else about their mouths. "If you’ve seen certain photos online, you’ve probably noticed the striking canine teeth of some male camels," he says. "Those teeth can be quite dangerous."
