Why camels are called ‘ships of the desert’?

              In the olden days, when science was not as developed as it is today, the ancient man made intercontinental travels by ships. He stored the necessary goods for consumption on his big ships. Just as ships cross vast distances over water, carrying men and goods from one shore to another, camels travelled over scorching deserts, carrying loads from one place to another. Any other animal would die of heat and thirst, but the camel is able to survive because it has abilities that suit desert conditions.

              Camels can go for days without drinking water. They can also drink from waterholes that are too bitter or saline for other animals. Camels drink 100 litres of water within 10 minutes and then live without drinking for 3 or 4 days.

              These mammals eat almost anything, regardless of how tough or how thorny it is. A camel has leathery mouth, tongue and tooth enamel, enabling it to eat thorny desert plants. A camel’s hump is not used to store water as is commonly believed. Rather, it stores fat. If food is hard to find, the fat in the hump provides energy for the animal. If a camel is starving, its hump shrinks!

              The camel’s fur allows excess body temperature to radiate out and protects them from cold nights. Camels have enough tear glands and double rows of long, curled eyelashes to protect their eyes from blowing sand. They can close their noses by contracting muscles during sand storms. Their broad, padded toes are insulated to avoid the sand’s heat. The strong, flexible webs of their toes prevent them from sinking into the sand.

              Now you will certainly agree that camels are amazing mammals.

Picture credit: google