✗ The myth everyone repeats
Camel humps are water storage tanks that allow them to survive long desert journeys without drinking.
✓ What is actually true
Camel humps store fat, not water. The fat is metabolized into water and energy as needed. Water is stored in the bloodstream and tissues, not the hump. Camels can drink enormous quantities at once (up to 40 gallons) and their blood and tissues hold water efficiently. Their ability to concentrate urine and reduce water loss through sweating also aids survival.
Reception
The receipts 2 sources
- National Geographic: Camel PhysiologyREFERENCE
- Smithsonian Magazine: Camel FactsREFERENCE