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Camels are some of the world’s most remarkable creatures. They evolved to survive in some of the harshest Asian sands and steppes, which is why they’re nicknamed ships of the desert. Among their surprising adaptations is the ability to consume cacti. While seemingly a painful ordeal, camels have evolved specific physical characteristics and behaviors that enable them to eat these spiny plants without injury.
But how exactly do camels eat thorny cacti? What does it tell us about their incredible survival mechanisms?
Camels’ mouths are specially adapted to handle tough, thorny vegetation. The first part of their food to make contact is their prehensile lips, which are both tough yet super flexible. These lips act like fingers that wiggle and grab hold of even the trickiest snacks, from prickly cacti to crunchy carrots, with impressive skill.
Camels also have a unique dental anatomy. You’d think their teeth would be complete if they’re crushing cactus on the daily, but you’ll be surprised to know that they don’t even have front upper teeth! What they do use for chewing is their back molars, which makes their munching look pretty funny as their food dances around in their mouths.
Interestingly, despite being herbivores, camels sport canine teeth, something you don’t usually see in plant-eaters. They use these chompers to mash woody plants and also for defense against predators and rival camels during mating season.
Since cactuses and similar plants can be sharp, the inside of a camel’s mouth is lined with stiff papillae — cone-shaped nodules made partly of keratin, the same protein found in human fingernails, though softer to the touch. These papillae form a rough but protective surface that guides food toward the back of the throat while minimizing contact with the sensitive tissues inside.
Moreover, this cheek shield made of papillae helps camels chew in a way that aligns cactus spines vertically rather than horizontally, reducing the likelihood of hurting themselves while they eat. Their strong jaw muscles further aid in breaking down cacti, allowing them to extract the necessary moisture and nutrients despite the plant’s natural defenses.
So camels can eat cactus because of their special mouths, but why would they go through such trouble? They are opportunistic herbivores that feed on whatever flora is available in their desert environments. They typically have a fiber-rich diet, feeding on twigs, leaves, shrubs, and dry grasses. However, in extreme conditions where water is scarce, cacti become an essential food source due to their high water content.
For example, the prickly pear cactus is a common part of a camel’s diet in desert regions. This plant stores up to 95% of water in its thick, fleshy pads, providing hydration that these creatures can extract even when no standing water is available.
Despite these adaptations, eating cacti is not a completely painless experience for these hungry and thirsty animals. Camels can still get poked while eating cacti, and sometimes the thorns embed in the soft tissue around their lips. This is especially true with the prickly pear cactus, which they love so much.
However, camels have a high pain tolerance and have adapted to endure minor discomfort in exchange for a tasty food and water source in arid regions. While they have evolved to eat cacti, there are still potential risks. In some cases, cactus spines can even become lodged in their mouths or faces, requiring intervention from herders.
Many camels nibble at cactus pads to remove as many spines as possible before eating them. Herders sometimes burn off the spines of cacti before feeding them to domesticated camels to prevent unnecessary injury. In the wild, however, camels accept the occasional sting in favor of staying hydrated and nourished.
Camels are pseudo-ruminants. This means they have an odd, multi-chambered stomach that allows them to digest plant material efficiently, though they do not have a four-chambered stomach like true ruminants such as cows.
Their stomachs are composed of three chambers instead of four. Unlike true ruminants, they have an enlarged cecum — a pouch located at the beginning of the large intestine — where symbiotic microorganisms ferment and break down tough desert vegetation.
When a camel consumes cacti, it first enters the cecum. Microbial activity in the cecum initiates digestion by breaking down cellulose and fermenting plant matter. The partially digested food is then regurgitated as cud and chewed again to aid further breakdown. Called rumination, this process is observable when camels move their strong jaws in slow, circular motions. Finally, it’s passed through the omasum and abomasum for final digestion and nutrient absorption.
While camels are the most well-known cactus-eating mammals, they are not alone. Other desert-dwelling creatures have developed their own methods for consuming cacti despite their sharp needles:
It’s a common misconception that camels store water in their humps. In reality, their humps store rich fat, which can be metabolized into energy when food is scarce, and they’re traveling long distances. Instead, camels store water in their bloodstream, allowing them to drink large amounts in one sitting — up to 30 gallons in just 10 minutes — and remain hydrated for days or even weeks without needing to drink again.
Another fascinating adaptation is their ability to minimize water loss. Camels can tolerate dehydration levels that would be fatal to most other animals, and they produce highly concentrated urine and dry feces to conserve as much water as possible.
A camel’s incredible ability to survive the desert also goes beyond the famous hump or its ability to eat thorny cactus without serious injury. Its entire body, from its head to its feet, features remarkable adaptations for the harsh environment.
Starting with its respiratory system, a camel’s nostrils are a masterclass in water conservation. When a camel exhales, its complex nasal passages cool the air and condense the moisture, which it reabsorbs into its body. To further protect against the elements, these nostrils can shut completely to prevent sand from entering during powerful desert storms.
Similarly, a camel’s eyes are exceptionally well-protected. Two rows of long, luscious interlocking eyelashes shield them from sand and dust. Going a step further, they possess a transparent third eyelid, also known as the nictitating membrane. This fantastic feature acts like a biological windshield wiper, clearing away any debris while still allowing the camel to see.
Just as the top of the camel is built for protection, its feet are perfectly designed for the ground below. Their broad, flat, and padded toes spread out to keep them from sinking into the soft desert sand. The soles of their feet are thick and leathery, providing excellent protection from the scorching hot surface and offering cushioned support when walking over uneven or rocky terrain.
While they have remarkable traits that help them survive the arid climate, camels face the problem of desertification. Drylands comprise more than 40% of the Earth’s surface, and they are expanding due to climate change. This can lead to habitat loss and water scarcity in an already depleted environment.
From a sustainability perspective, camels demonstrate how nature has evolved to use every available resource. Understanding these adaptations could even inspire biomimicry in agriculture, helping humans develop new methods to utilize plants from arid regions for food and water conservation.
As one of the desert’s most iconic survivors, the camel has always been a source of fascination. Let’s unravel the myths and uncover the facts that people have always wanted to know.
Camels can eat cactus because of their strong back molars, a powerful jaw, grippy lips, and protected mouth cheeks . Combine that with their high pain tolerance and efficient digestion.
Yes, camels can spit as a defense mechanism to distract, surprise, or react to something they perceive as a threat. However, it’s more complex than simple spit. They project a mixture of saliva and stomach contents, which includes partially digested food. It smells awful, especially if the camel hasn’t eaten recently, because then it’s all stomach acid. Blech!
No. Camels stores fat in their humps. Although it would’ve been helpful to have water in their humps like a personal Stanley cup, this fat hump serves as insulation that protects them from the scorching desert sun.
They can go a week or more without water. Contrary to popular belief, camels love water and will drink it every day if they have access to it. However, their bodies can endure long periods without it when necessary.
Millions of years of evolution have allowed camels to eat cactus without suffering severe injuries. Because of their strong digestive tract, elaborate chewing process, and unusual mouth anatomy, they can consume prickly plants that most other animals would not be able to. Although the procedure is not completely pleasant, camels have evolved to endure the agony in return for a vital desert survival tool.
They are among the most intriguing species in the animal kingdom simply because of their exceptional adaptability and efficient use of limited resources. Understanding their adaptations provides insight into animal evolution and valuable lessons for sustainable living in harsh environments.
