Posted on 11/29/2022 11:45:27 AM PST by nickcarraway
WHEN you think of camels, you think of hot and dry deserts, with no water in sight.
But is it true that camels store water in their humps?
Verdict:
FALSE
Contrary to what cartoons have been showing us about camels, they do not store water in their humps.
Instead, these ships of the desert have fatty tissue stored in their humps, which becomes their source of nourishment in case there is a shortage of food.
When the camel is unable to access food for a long period of time, its body is able to metabolise the fat in the humps for nutrition.
A herd of Bactrian camels. Bactrian camels can be further subdivided into wild and domesticated. They make up less than 10% of the world's population of camels and range from China to Central Asia. Unlike dromedary camels, Bactrians live in snowy areas such as pictured here
The humps would then deflate like a balloon and droop, but they will stand straight again once the camel refuels.
Another feature of the humps is to help the creature regulate its body temperature, as temperatures in the desert can be extremely high during the day and drop drastically at night.
So, while it does not store water in its hump, the camel's body has a way of coping with water scarcity in the desert.
According to the national spokesperson at the San Diego Zoo, Rick Schwartz, camels are able to drink up to 114 litres of water in one sitting.
They also excrete dry faeces to retain water, and their kidneys efficiently remove toxins from water in the body so they can retain as much as possible.
It is also reported that camels are able to 'sniff' for water over 80km away.
In the desert, Streptomyces, a soil bacterium, gives off a signature smell on damp ground.
Once that scent is carried on a breeze, it can be picked up by the camel's well-tuned nostrils.
While these facts about camels are amazing, we humans need to hydrate regularly. Remember to drink some water after reading this article.
References:
1. https://www.britannica.com/story/do-camels-store-water-in-their-humps
2. https://www.livescience.com/why-do-camels-have-humps.html
3. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2003/mar/06/science.research
ISWYDT!......................
Yes. In fact, so much so some have been known to leak and squirt.
Nice!
So called because they’re full of Arab seamen?
Dang, beat me to it.
Those are backpacks.
Kids carry their lunch in backpacks too. The camels just copied the kids. ;)
The old Red Pall Malls unfiltered were a fine smoke. I don’t know what is in the current ones. They are worse than any other. Smoke free for 7 years 8 months and 20 days give or take.
Bactrian I presume?
In addition, Fat is mostly long chain hydrocarbons. As it is metabolized it turns into C02 (the horror of all molecules, we must kill all camels today /Sarcasm) and water. The water produced helps the camel hydrate. We need water thus perhaps we should not kill all the camels. When done the water they graciously piss it out on the ground high in nitrates that fertilize the soil along with camel dung which is burned by the locals for heat and cooking. This looks like bio-Karma to me. Camels are looking pretty good now.
However, as one that has lived in the Middle East I know they are vicious vindictive creatures thus their Karma value is reduced not to negative but only slightly positive.
Do not kill the camels unless one really pisses you off and needs killing.
ps
In the night they like to stand on the roadway as the road has absorbed heat during the day. The desert does get cold at night. If you hit one you clip the legs and a ton of meat comes through your windshield and kills you. If perhaps you survive, one will find it was the most prized camel in all of the Saudi Peninsula. Bring your checkbook.
I only noticed the cigarette later. LOL. Good post.
Paul Mall unfiltered d was my smoke until I quit many years ago. It was a fine smoke.
Thanks nickcarraway.
🐫😜
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