Camels are the most important animals in the Arabian deserts.
Camels are adapted to live in extreme environments, both hot and cold. A camel's body is suited for desert life.
A camel has broad, flat feet that won't sink into the sand.
It has big and thick lips that allow it to breathe, even during a sandstorm. These lips prevent sand from entering its lungs.
A camel's eyelashes may look long and beautiful, but they are really eye protectors. They help block sand from getting into its eyes.
To shield against blowing sand, a camel's ears are lined with fur.
People all over North Africa and West Asia depend on camels.
Camels are used to carry heavy loads and to transport people.
Humans have used camels for their wool, milk, meat and leather. Camel milk is incredibly healthy.
On a desert trip, a camel can live on very little food and water. Its hump stores fat so it can go without eating for days.
The camel uses the fats as a source of energy during its long journey in the desert.
A camel can lose as much as fourth of its body weight without getting sick.
Also, its body temperature can rise by more than 10 F before it sweats to give off body heat. The camel's temperature goes down when the desert cools off at night.
To recover from a long desert trip, a camel drinks as much as 21 gallons of water in ten minutes.
Drinking that much water so quickly might kill any other animal.
After a few days' rest, the camel is ready to cross the desert again!