10 surprising camel facts

1

Camel humps store fat, not water

The famous humps are reservoirs of fatty tissue. A camel's body converts that fat into energy — and, cleverly, into water — on long treks.

2

They can drink 100+ litres in minutes

A very thirsty camel can gulp down over a hundred litres of water in about ten minutes, rehydrating faster than almost any land animal.

3

Triple eyelids and sealable nostrils

Desert sandstorms are no joke. Camels have two rows of long lashes, a third transparent eyelid, and nostrils they can close at will.

4

One hump or two? Both exist

Dromedaries have one hump and rule the hot deserts; Bactrian camels have two and handle freezing Central Asian steppes.

5

Their poop barely smells

Camels digest so efficiently that their droppings are nearly odourless and dry — desert nomads have long used them as clean-burning fuel.

6

They walk funny — on purpose

Camels move both legs on one side at once (called "pacing"). It's energy-efficient and gives riders that famous sway.

7

Camels remember everything

Handlers swear camels hold grudges — and science backs up their excellent long-term memory for people, places, and routes.

8

They've been working for 4,000 years

Humans domesticated camels millennia ago, and caravans of them built the trade routes that connected continents.

9

Camel milk is a superfood

Lower in fat than cow's milk and rich in vitamins, camel milk has sustained desert communities for generations.

10

They can shut their ears

Tiny hairs inside a camel's ears keep sand out — yet another entry in their absurdly long list of desert upgrades.