The biological engineering that allows camels to survive the world's harshest deserts

Nature · Published 22 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Known as the ships of the desert, camels and llamas are masters of extreme endurance. While they are often grouped together as pack animals, their evolutionary adaptations are distinct. From circulatory water storage to specialized facial anatomy, these mammals have spent millennia perfecting the art of survival in arid climates.

Camels are ruminating, even-toed ungulates that have evolved specific physiological traits to withstand extreme drought. A key mechanism is their ability to store water within their circulatory systems, allowing them to survive for several days to a week without drinking. Their physical silhouette is defined by a long neck, slim legs, and a distinctive humped back. Notably, their upper lips are split into two independent sections, and their nostrils can be squeezed shut to block out blowing sand, while heavy eyelashes provide further ocular protection.

The genus Camelus includes three distinct species, primarily categorized by their humps. The dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) features a single back hump and was domesticated in Arabia between 3000 and 2000 BCE. In contrast, the Bactrian camel (C. bactrianus) possesses two humps and was domesticated by 4000 BCE in the steppes of Central Asia. While dromedaries are often found in India and the Horn of Africa, the wild Bactrian camel is now critically endangered, with a primary population of about 650 adults residing in the Gobi Desert.

Beyond their desert endurance, these animals have been integral to human culture for centuries. They serve as primary pack and saddle animals, but they are also valued for milk, meat, wool, and hides. While llamas are the primary pack animals of South America, camels dominate the arid landscapes of Africa and Asia. Interestingly, while dromedaries have horny pads on their chests and knees to protect against searing sand, the Bactrian camel lacks these specific callosities, showcasing different evolutionary paths for similar environments.

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