How many liters of water can a camel drink at once?
117 views · 2 weeks ago
A thirsty camel can drink around a hundred liters of water in about ten minutes — an amount that would kill most mammals. This rapid rehydration is one of the most extreme adaptations in the animal world.
Why doesn't such a quantity kill him
In most mammals, massive absorption of water would suddenly dilute the blood and burst the red blood cells. Those of the camel, oval and elastic, can swell considerably without breaking, and its body gradually distributes water throughout the tissues.
The other half of the feat is its resistance to dehydration: the camel tolerates losing part of its weight in water which would be fatal for humans, while preserving the volume of its blood. Late sweat, concentrated urine, body temperature which slips several degrees throughout the day: everything is done to expend water as slowly as possible.
And the bump in all this?
Contrary to legend, the hump does not store water: it is a fat reserve, which provides energy when food is lacking. Concentrating the fat on the back rather than under the skin helps the rest of the body evacuate heat.
