What’s Really in a Camel’s Hump?

Q: Do the humps on camels really hold water?

A: No, they actually hold fat, according to howstuffworks.com. In a healthy, well-fed camel, the hump can weigh as much as 80 pounds. It allows the camel to survive for as long as two weeks without food if necessary. The idea that the hump holds water comes from the fact that camels can lose large amounts of water from their bodies without dehydrating. A camel uses about 5 gallons of water per day, but can lose up to 25 gallons without adverse effects. Pack camels can carry loads of 400 pounds.