Camels can change their body temperature by 11°F to survive extreme desert heat without sweating.

This physiological phenomenon is known as adaptive hyperthermia. Research conducted by Knut Schmidt-Nielsen and published by Duke University revealed that a dehydrated camel's body temperature can fluctuate by approximately 6°C (11°F). In contrast, most mammals experience organ failure if their core temperature shifts by more than 2 or 3 degrees.By allowing their temperature to rise to 40°C (104°F) during the day, camels avoid using evaporative cooling, such as sweating or panting. This is crucial because sweating can deplete a camel's water reserves rapidly in the Sahara or Arabian deserts. The heat stored in their body mass is then dissipated via conduction and convection during the cooler night hours when temperatures drop.This mechanism is supported by the camel's unique blood chemistry and oval-shaped red blood cells. These cells can withstand significant osmotic pressure changes as the animal rehydrates or dehydrates. Studies at the University of Riyadh have shown that this 'thermal inertia' allows camels to go for weeks without drinking water while carrying heavy loads in 120°F heat.The camel's hump also plays a role by concentrating fat in one area. This prevents the fat from acting as an insulating layer across the whole body, which would trap heat. Instead, heat can escape more easily from the camel's sides during the night, completing the daily thermal cycle.