Contrary to popular belief, camels do not store water in their humps. Camel humps actually store fatty deposits, which get used for energy when food is not available. Camels have several other means to stay hydrated, though. Their nostrils can trap a lot of water vapor, they sweat only a little, and their urine and feces contain very little moisture. A dehydrated camel can drink as much as 32 gallons (about 120 liters) of water in about 15 minutes.
More facts about camels:
- Camels' humps serve as protection from the sun. The humps are made up of adipose, or fatty tissue, which conducts heat slowly, so they help camels keep a suitable body temperature. Also, fur is thicker on camels' humps than on the other parts of their bodies, which further helps with insulation and allows heat to escape from the lower parts of their bodies.
- There are two species of camel: dromedaries, or Arabian Camels, which have one hump; and Bactrian camels, which have two humps. There are still feral populations of Bactrian camels in China and Mongolia and feral dromedaries in central Australia.
- When camels spit, they're not only expelling saliva, they also bring up stomach contents, and then direct the stream of spit and stomach contents at whatever is threatening or bothering them.