Camels are large land mammals best known for their humps.

There are three camel species: dromedary,

Bactrian, and wild Bactrian camels. The single-humped dromedary camel represents 90 percent of the
world camel population.1 There are two species of Bactrian camels, wild and domesticated, which both
have two humps. Wild Bactrian camels are critically endangered with fewer than 1,000 individuals
remaining.

Domesticated Bactrian camels are found in Central Asia; dromedary camels inhabit the Middle East and
central Australia, where they were introduced. Wild Bactrian camels occupy isolated areas of China and
Mongolia. From their unique ability to store energy in their humps to their efficient rehydrating skills,
discover the most fascinating facts about camels.

1. There Are Three Species of Camels

Pair of dromedary camels in the desert

Pair of dromedary camels in the desert. MOHAMED ELAMIN EL BAR / 500px / Getty Images

There are three types of camels in the world: dromedary camels (or Arabian camels), Bactrian camels (or
Asian camels), and wild Bactrian camels (Camelus ferus). The majority of camels are domestic. The only
wild camel species, wild Bactrian camels, are only found in just a few locations in China and Mongolia.2

Dromedary camels are domestic camels with long curved necks and a single hump, while Bactrian
camels have two humps. All three species of camels are tall — dromedary camels average six feet tall
and Bactrian camels are around seven feet in height.

2. Camels Don't Store Water in Their Humps

The camel's hump is its most notable feature. However, contrary to popular belief, it isn't used to store
water. Instead, the hump stores fat.3 The fat releases both energy and water when resources are
unavailable. It also serves another purpose: By storing most of its fat in one place, a camel is not covered
in insulating fat and thus can stay cooler in the desert heat.

Healthy camels with significant fat stores can survive without food or water for a couple of weeks.4

3. They Are Built for the Desert

Camels have many adaptations for living in harsh desert environments. To keep out dust and sand, they
have three eyelids and two sets of eyelashes. They also have extra thick lips that allow them to eat
thorny plants that other animals can't. Thick pads of skin on their chest and knees protect them from hot
sand, and large, flat feet allow them to walk without sinking into the sand. Camels can even close their
nostrils to keep out dust.3

4. They Can Hydrate Quickly

Group of Bactrian camels standing near a small pool of water in the desert

Dave Stamboulis Travel Photography / Getty Images

While camels don’t store water in their humps, these desert animals are great at conserving water.
Dromedary camels use heterothermy to regulate their body temperature throughout the day.5 This
prevents them from sweating during daily increases in temperature, conserving water.

When a camel does come across water, it can fill up in a hurry, drinking as much as 26 gallons in 10
minutes.3

5. Camels Are Social Animals

Camels travel in herds and both dromedary and Bactrian camels are social creatures. Groups are
composed of as many as 30 individuals including a family unit with one dominant male.4 With the
exception of males establishing dominance during breeding, camels are not prone to aggressive
outbursts.

They don’t just travel together; camels also communicate with members of their group by making
sounds like moans and bellows.

6. They Provide Nourishment

Camels have provided sustenance to humans for thousands of years in the form of meat and milk.
Camel's milk is lower in cholesterol and higher in vitamin C and minerals like sodium and potassium
compared with the milk of other ruminants.6 Milk from camels is also considered to be more like human
milk than milk from cows.7
In the arid desert regions camels inhabit, their meat is also an important source of protein.

7. They Do the Heavy Lifting

caravan of camels carrying materials on their backs across the desert

Roberto Moiola / Sysaworld / Getty Images

Camels have an impressive ability to carry a heavy load. The Bactrian camel can carry up to 440 pounds
in a day, while the dromedary can haul up to 220 pounds.8 When walking, both legs on the same side of
the camel's body move at the same time, called a pace.

Because the fat stored in their humps provides energy, these herbivores are able to work without
requiring frequent breaks for food or water.3

8. The Wild Bactrian Camel Is Critically Endangered

Wild Bactrian camel walking in the desert

Wild Bactrian camel. Nancy Brown / Getty Images

Though most camels are domesticated, the small number of wild Bactrian camels remaining are critically
endangered.9 Classified as a separate species from the domesticated Bactrian camel, C. ferus is found in
only four areas: three in northwest China (Gashun Gobi, Taklamakan Desert, and Lake Lop Camel
National Reserve adjacent to the mountain ranges of Arjin Shan) and one in Mongolia, in the Great Gobi
Section A Strictly Protected Area.

There are estimated to be fewer than 1,000 wild Bactrian camels remaining, and their population is
expected to decrease by as much as 80 percent over the next 45 to 50 years. Threats to wild Bactrian
camels include subsistence hunting, predation by wolves, degradation of habitat, and competition with
domestic Bactrian camels for resources. In China, the wild Bactrian camel is also threatened by the
potential designation of its habitat for industrial use.