How Can Camels Eat Cactus Without Getting Hurt?

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?

The Secret Lies in Their Mouth Structure

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.

Why Do Camels Eat Cacti?

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.

Does It Hurt Camels to Eat Cactus?

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.

How Do Camels Digest Cacti?

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.

Do Other Animals Eat Cacti?

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:

• Javelinas or peccaries: These pig-like animals eat all parts of the cactus from the stems to the pads and fruits — spines included. These nocturnal beings can also feed on insects or occasional bird eggs, but their favorite food is the prickly pear cactus. Like camels, they have sharp canine teeth that shred the plants before consumption.
• Woodrats: Plant materials make up most of a desert woodrat’s diet. They typically eat spiny cacti, yucca pods, pinyon nuts, and creosote bushes. When eating cacti, they munch around the spiny sections, consuming only the softer parts of the cactus.
• Jackrabbits: A cactus’s water content makes it a magnet to jackrabbits, who nibble on cactus flesh to meet their survival needs. Unlike camels, they do not tolerate the thorns and only consume parts where spines are sparse.
• Desert tortoises: Tortoises prefer the spineless opuntia cactus in their diet, although they can also eat shorter thorns in the wild with no problem. They consume the pads, flowers, and fruits of the plant.

How Do Camels Stay Hydrated in the Desert?

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.

What Can We Learn from Camels’ Adaptations?

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.

Respiratory System

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.

Eyes

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.

Feet

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.

FAQs

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.

How Do Camels Eat Cactus Without Getting Poked?

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.

Do Camels Spit?

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! 

Do Camels Store Water in Their Humps?

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.

How long can a camel go without water?

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.

Solving the Camel’s Cactus Conundrum

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.

This article was originally published on March 18, 2025, and was updated on December 12, 2025, to provide readers with more updated information.