"There once was a myth quite absurd
That camels had water stored in their herd
But the humps store up fat
For times lean and that's that
With water conservation, they're undeterred!"
The myth that camels store water in their humps is a popular misconception that has persisted for a long time. However, this belief is not entirely accurate.
Camels are adapted to life in arid environments where water is scarce. They are able to survive for long periods without drinking water by storing fat in their humps, which they can then metabolize for energy. This stored fat provides the camel with the energy it needs to survive when food and water are scarce.
The humps of a camel are actually composed of dense, fibrous tissue that is used to store this fat. The amount of fat stored in the humps can vary depending on the camel's diet, age, and physical condition.
Contrary to popular belief, the humps of a camel do not store water. Camels are able to conserve water in other ways, such as by producing very concentrated urine and dry feces. Camels can also tolerate significant water loss without becoming dehydrated. For example, a camel can lose up to 25% of its body weight in water without suffering any ill effects.
In fact, if a camel were to store water in its hump, it would be counterproductive to its survival in arid environments. Water is much heavier than fat, and carrying a significant amount of water would make the camel more difficult to transport and increase its energy expenditure. Furthermore, water is a precious resource in arid environments, and a camel that stored water in its hump would be at risk of losing it through evaporation, especially during the heat of the day.
In summary, the myth that camels store water in their humps is not true. Camels store fat in their humps, which they can metabolize for energy when food and water are scarce. Camels are adapted to life in arid environments and can survive for long periods without drinking water by conserving water through concentrated urine and dry feces, and tolerating significant water loss without becoming dehydrated.