Which mammal is famous for storing fat in humps on its back? The camel is famous for storing fat in its hump or humps.
A camel’s hump is a specialized fat reserve, not a water tank. When food is scarce, the stored fat can be metabolized for energy. As the reserve is used, the hump may become smaller or droop. This adaptation helps camels survive in environments where reliable food is limited.
There are two living camel species commonly associated with humps. The dromedary, or Arabian camel, has one hump and is native to the Middle East and parts of Africa and Asia. The domesticated Bactrian camel has two humps and is adapted to colder deserts of Central Asia. Wild Bactrian camels are critically endangered.
Camels are also highly efficient with water. Their oval red blood cells can tolerate substantial changes in hydration, and their bodies reduce water loss through concentrated urine, dry feces, and tolerance of changing body temperature. These features, rather than water stored in the hump, explain their desert endurance.