Quck answer
Camels are known for their ability to survive long periods without water. They can go up to two weeks without drinking any water, but this depends on factors such as the temperature and humidity of their environment, as well as the amount of food they are consuming. During this time, they are able to conserve water by producing dry feces and reducing their urine output. However, it’s important to note that camels still need regular access to water to maintain their health and well-being.
Wild Animals
How Camel Humps and Other Tactics Help Save Water
The humps of a camel are made up of fat and not water.
Joel Sartore/Getty Images
A camel’s humps have the potential to hold water, but in reality, they are filled with fat. This deposit of fat works as a reserve tank of gasoline in a car trunk. When food and water become scarce, the camel uses the energy from the fat mound. As a matter of fact, the longer the camel goes without food or water, the more shrunken its hump appears. However, once the camel receives adequate food and water, its humps plump up again within days.
So what is the actual length of time that a camel can go without water before its hump starts to deflate? In our previous article “How long can you go without food and water?” we discovered that humans can only survive for three to five days in moderate conditions without any water. During the winters in the Sahara Desert, camels have survived for six to seven months without actually drinking water [source: Lumpkin]. Granted, camels obtain liquid from the plants they eat during the dry spell, but it is still an incredibly long time without drinking water. In the peak summer months, when the temperature rises above 110 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius), their non-hydrated stamina drops to approximately five days [source: Lumpkin].
Camel physiology has two significant adaptations compared to other mammals. It explains this ability. First, the range of a camel’s internal body temperature is far greater than that of our bodies. During the hottest months, a camel’s temperature may fluctuate between 93 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit (33 to 40 degrees Celsius) [source: Burton and Burton]. Their brains can selectively cool themselves to protect their brain tissue from heat spikes while leaving the core temperature in the rest of the body unchanged [source: Elkhawad]. Camels can also lose a higher percentage of their body fluids without disrupting their health. For instance, dehydrated humans die if they lose more than 15 percent of their weight in body fluids. However, camels may drop almost 40 percent of their body fluid weight before conditions become fatal [source: Animal Planet].
These adaptations are due, in part, to the shape of camels’ blood cells. Unlike human blood cells, which are disc-shaped, camels’ blood cells are elliptical [source: Burton and Burton]. This football shape promotes blood flow, allowing the cells to continue moving even when water intake has stopped. Also, camels’ blood volume does not drop when water levels fall, as it does in humans [source: Simmons].
When it comes to food, camels have a way of enjoying every morsel. Camel lips are so thick that they can grip leaves, thorns, and other vegetation without losing moisture off their tongues [source: Simmons]. After camels swallow the food, three stomachs redigest it multiple times to extract all potential nutrition [source: Binns]. After camels finish breaking down their dinner, they lose little water to excretions. Their feces are very dry (allowing bedouins to burn them for fuel), and they urinate less than most mammals.
Camels even sweat efficiently. Not only do they perspire at a lower rate than we do, but their sweat also evaporates beneath their fur for better cooling [source: Lumpkin]. When standing still or resting, camels often face the sun to reduce the amount of body surface area directly exposed to the sunlight. They also seek out shade and stand in each other’s shadows when traveling in caravans [source: Lumpkin].
Camels are known for their ability to make the most of their liquid reward when they reach an oasis, just like a thrifty vacationer who takes full advantage of complimentary breakfast buffets at hotels. They can gulp down 30 gallons (113 liters) of water in just 13 minutes, making them the fastest to rehydrate among all mammals. This is because they know that the next pit stop will be a long, dry walk away.
Related HowStuffWorks Articles include questions such as whether the humps on camels hold water, how long humans can go without food and water, and how sweat works. Other articles cover topics like desert survival, the physiology of camels, and why water cannot be manufactured.
Sources for this information include Animal Planet, LiveScience, Marshall Cavendish, Audubon, Zoogoer, San Diego Zoo, and Los Angeles Times.
FAQ
1. How long can a camel survive without water?
A camel can survive for up to two weeks without water in ideal conditions. However, in extremely hot temperatures or if the camel is under stress, it may only be able to go without water for a few days. Camels are able to survive for longer periods of time without water than other animals due to their unique adaptations, such as the ability to conserve water and their humps which store fat that can be converted into water.
2. How much water does a camel need per day?
A healthy adult camel can drink up to 20 gallons of water in just 10 minutes. However, they don’t need to drink this much water every day. On average, camels need around 2-3 gallons of water per day in order to survive. This is because they are able to conserve water in their bodies and can go for long periods of time without drinking water.
3. Do all camels have the same ability to go without water?
No, not all camels have the same ability to go without water. Dromedary camels (also known as Arabian camels) are better adapted to hot and arid conditions and can go for longer periods of time without water than Bactrian camels. Bactrian camels, which live in colder and more mountainous regions, need to drink water more frequently.
4. How do camels find water in the desert?
Camels have a great sense of smell and are able to detect water sources from long distances away. They are also able to store water in their bodies for long periods of time, which allows them to go without drinking water for extended periods of time. If necessary, camels can also eat plants with high water content, such as succulents, to supplement their water intake.
5. Can camels drink saltwater?
No, camels cannot drink saltwater. While they are able to survive for long periods of time without drinking water, they still need fresh water in order to stay healthy. Drinking saltwater can actually be harmful to camels, as it can cause dehydration and other health problems.
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