Random Things You Never Knew About Camels (10 items)

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  (#1) Humps Store Fat So They Can Go For Long Periods Without Food

  All camels have either one or two humps depending on the species. However, the big misconception about the humps is that they contain water. The truth is they don’t hold any water whatsoever; instead, they are a store of fat. This proves useful for periods in the arid conditions where they live when they might not be able to get access to food, allowing them to burn the fat to release vital energy. The size of the hump will fluctuate according to how well fed the camel is; those who have not had enough nutrients will see their humps get smaller and eventually droop over.
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  (#6) The Different Species Can Grow To A Huge Size

  Camels are capable of growing to huge sizes. Both species will typically tower above a human being, standing at between six to six and a half feet tall. They can also grow to a length of around 10 feet and will weigh in at anything from 1,300 to 2,200 pounds when they reach maturity. Their large size and strength has made the animals the perfect companion for desert dwelling populations. They are capable of carrying up to 600 kilograms over vast distances, walking at up to almost three miles per hour.
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  (#9) They Can Also Completely Close Their Nostrils

  Another important adaptation camels is the ability to shut their nostrils completely. While this obviously makes it difficult for the mammals to smell or breath while eating, it does provide a rather valuable advantage. That is, sand is incapable of making its way up the nose and causing blockages or infections. The nose also has another special element that helps prevent water being lost as the camel breathes through vapor, helping trap extra liquid in the body that can prove essential for surviving.
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  (#7) There Are Professional Camel Racers In Several Countries

  When people think of animal racing, they picture horses or greyhounds. But several countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East host professional camel racing. The likes of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Bahrain all hold official contests.

  The animals are capable of reaching top speeds of 40 miles per hour in short sprints and can maintain speeds of 25 miles per hour for extended periods of time. This makes them ideal for racing. Unfortunately, many owners used child jockeys in racing due to their small size and weight, prompting bans from several governments for the abuses the youngsters suffered. In their place, several organizations now use robotic jockeys.
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  (#4) The Hump Also Helps Camels To Keep Cool In The Desert

  While the hump of a camel proves useful for storing fat in case of emergencies, it also proves to be a very effective way of staying cool in the hot desert. Regulating their temperature is incredibly important, and bodily functions like sweating are not useful in arid conditions because it wastes valuable water. Instead, their bodies are not covered in a layer of fat in the form of their humps. This means they are less likely to overheat as they do not have insulation. Having a lump of fat on the back also provides some extra protection from the sun as it is where the vast majority of the ultraviolet rays hit the animal.
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  (#10) Instead Of Chewing Food, They Swallow It Whole Then Regurgitate The Resulting Cud Later

  Camels are a type of mammal known as ruminants. This means that rather than chew their food, they simply swallow it whole. Their oral papillae help them to be able to force down their rather tough diet, which includes thorns, salty plants, and fish, without choking. The food is then turned into cud and regurgitated into the mouth, where the camel finally chews it to help release vital nutrients and aid in the last part of digestion.

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