What is the maximum duration a camel can survive without water?

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Just as Eskimos possess a rich vocabulary for snow, which is central to their lifestyle and cultural identity, the nomadic Bedouins of the Sahara exhibit a similar linguistic richness when it comes to camels. These desert inhabitants have over 700 words to describe the tawny mammals, reflecting their deep connection to these animals.

In many ways, camels are to Bedouins what horses and cattle are to cowboys of the American West. These long-lashed, hoofed creatures offer transportation, fuel (from their dung), food, and materials for clothing and shelter. Despite the unforgiving desert climate, camels can transport heavier loads over short distances than elephants [source: Simmons]. While they may only cover 25 to 30 miles (40 to 48 kilometers) per day, their reliability in extreme heat ensures they won't fail you mid-journey.

Despite their presence in northern Africa, southwestern Asia, and the Middle East, camel ancestors actually originated in the Western Hemisphere. Their family tree includes llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. Camels are uniquely adapted to harsh environments, with ears and nostrils that seal tightly to keep out sand. As cud-chewers, they thrive on sparse vegetation found in lowland steppes, grasslands, and deserts. Their broad hooves, unlike those of horses, help distribute heat from the hot ground and make traversing sandy terrain easier [source: Simmons].

No discussion about camels is complete without mentioning their water storage and iconic humps. The two camel species can be distinguished by their humps: Dromedary camels have one, while Bactrian camels have two. A healthy camel's hump, if removed and weighed, could tip the scales at up to 80 pounds (36 kilograms).

So, does this 80-pound (36-kilogram) hump contain water? Not at all.

Camel Humps and Other Water-saving Tactics

While a hump filled with water might seem practical for a camel's desert lifestyle, these distinctive bulges are actually reservoirs of fat. This fat acts like a backup fuel tank, providing energy when food and water are scarce. As camels go without sustenance, their humps gradually shrink, but with proper nourishment, they can regain their fullness within days.

How long can a camel endure without water before its hump begins to sag? While humans can survive only three to five days without water in moderate climates, camels in the Sahara Desert have been known to last six to seven months without drinking during winter [source: Lumpkin]. Although they derive some moisture from the plants they consume, this is still an extraordinary feat. In extreme summer heat, their endurance without water drops to about five days [source: Lumpkin].

Camels possess two key physiological adaptations that enable their remarkable survival. First, their body temperature can vary significantly, ranging from 93 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (33 to 40 degrees Celsius) during hot months [source: Burton and Burton]. Their brains can selectively cool themselves to protect against overheating while maintaining the core body temperature. Additionally, camels can lose up to 40 percent of their body fluids without fatal consequences, compared to humans, who can only withstand a 15 percent loss [source: Animal Planet].

These survival mechanisms are partly due to the unique shape of camels' blood cells. Unlike the disc-shaped cells in humans, camels have elliptical blood cells [source: Burton and Burton]. This football-like shape ensures continuous blood flow even during dehydration. Moreover, camels maintain stable blood volume despite reduced water intake, unlike humans [source: Simmons].

Camels are masters of maximizing their food intake. Their thick lips allow them to grasp leaves, thorns, and other vegetation without losing moisture from their tongues [source: Simmons]. After swallowing, their three-chambered stomachs repeatedly digest the food to extract every bit of nutrition. Camels also conserve water through minimal excretion, producing dry feces that can be used as fuel and urinating less frequently than most mammals.

Camels are remarkably efficient at managing heat. They sweat less than humans, and their sweat evaporates under their fur, enhancing cooling [source: Lumpkin]. When resting, they often position themselves to minimize direct sun exposure by facing the sun, reducing their body surface area exposed to sunlight. Additionally, they seek shade or stand in each other's shadows while traveling in groups [source: Lumpkin].

Similar to a savvy traveler maximizing a hotel's complimentary breakfast, camels fully capitalize on water when they reach an oasis. They can rehydrate faster than any other mammal, consuming up to 30 gallons (113 liters) of water in just 13 minutes [source: National Geographic]. This ability ensures they are prepared for the long, arid journeys ahead.