A thirsty camel can drink 113 liters of water in just 13 minutes.

Camels are biological marvels of desert survival, capable of losing up to 25% of their body weight in water without suffering heart failure. When they finally reach a water source, they can consume approximately 113 liters (30 gallons) in under 15 minutes. This rate of intake would be fatal to most mammals due to osmotic shock, but camels have evolved specific cellular adaptations to handle it.The secret lies in their red blood cells, which are oval-shaped rather than circular. This unique shape allows the cells to flow through dehydrated, thickened blood more easily. More importantly, these cells can swell to 2.4 times their normal volume as they absorb water. In other animals, such rapid hydration would cause the cells to rupture, leading to a condition known as water intoxication.Research conducted by physiological ecologists highlights that camels also store fat in their humps, not water, as commonly believed. However, the metabolism of this fat produces about one gram of water for every gram of fat processed. This metabolic water, combined with their extreme drinking capacity, allows them to travel for weeks across arid landscapes like the Sahara or Gobi deserts.Furthermore, camels minimize water loss through highly concentrated urine and dry feces. Their kidneys are exceptionally efficient at reabsorbing water before it is excreted. This combination of rapid intake and extreme conservation ensures their survival in environments where temperatures can exceed 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit).