Mongolian camel

Feature

Camels possess excellent night and day vision and a keen sense of smell, allowing them to detect water sources and even family scents from up to 30 kilometers away. Their spatial awareness helps them navigate deserts, making them invaluable companions for herders. The mineral-rich vegetation of the Gobi provides essential nutrients, enhancing their ability to retain water.

Unlike other animals, camels can survive long periods without water. During dehydration, their urine condenses to as little as 0.5 liters. Remarkably, they can reabsorb urine from their kidneys, combining it with rumen microorganisms to produce protein, thus conserving water.

Additionally, camels can raise their body temperature to reduce sweating and water loss. They can drink up to 80 liters of water in one go and store it in their stomachs for gradual use. With significant fat reserves—up to 100 kg—they can metabolize fat for water, releasing 107 ml of water for every 100 grams of fat broken down. Experiments show that camels can endure 56-70 days without food and water, 78 days with food but no water, and 86-131 days with only water. Their ability to produce drier, less dense feces, along with their behavior of sunbathing to minimize heat absorption, showcases their remarkable adaptability to extreme conditions.