Camels are nature’s desert specialists, built to endure extreme heat, arid landscapes, and long stretches without food or water. Their famous humps store fat, not water, which their bodies convert into energy when resources are scarce. Meanwhile, their ability to lose up to 25% of their body weight through water loss without harm is one of many remarkable survival traits.
Camels also have clever physical adaptations. Their thick eyelashes and sealable nostrils protect against sandstorms. Wide, padded feet prevent sinking in hot sand, and their body temperature adjusts with the climate to conserve moisture. These traits have made them crucial companions in desert regions for transporting goods, people, and even inspiring cultural traditions for centuries.
In this edition of World-Wide Q&A, camels earn their place for showing that endurance and adaptation are the keys to thriving where few others can. From the Sahara to Central Asia, their resilience is a living testament to nature’s engineering.