Academic Reading
The ship of the desert
AFew animals are as well suited to desert life as the camel, often called 'the ship of the desert'. Contrary to popular belief, a camel's hump does not store water but fat, which the animal can break down for energy when food is scarce.
BCamels have many other adaptations: they can drink enormous amounts of water in one go, tolerate large changes in body temperature, and close their nostrils against blowing sand. These abilities have made them vital to desert peoples for carrying goods and passengers for thousands of years.