How Do Camels Live in the Desert? | A2 ESL Science Reading Passage

Do camels store water in their humps? This short reading explains how camels handle heat, blowing sand, and life with little water. Practice the vocabulary, then try the five questions below.

Reading level: A2–B1  ·  Passage: 204 words

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Camels have special body features that help them live in hot deserts.

Reading Passage

A camel is an animal that can live in very dry places. Many camels live in the desert, where days can be hot and water can be hard to find.

Camels are famous for their humps. A hump does not store water. It stores fat. The camel can use this fat for energy when food is hard to find.

Camels can also save water well. They do not sweat as quickly as many animals. Their bodies can handle changes in temperature. This helps them lose less water during hot days.

Camels have long eyelashes that help keep sand out of their eyes. They can also close their nostrils during a sandstorm. These features help protect them from blowing sand.

Their wide feet help them walk on soft sand. The feet spread out, so the camel does not sink deeply into the sand. This makes walking across the desert easier.

Camels can drink a lot of water when they find it. They can also cope with losing more water than many other animals. Saving water helps them go longer between drinks.

Camels survive in the desert because their bodies fit the place where they live. Their humps, feet, eyes, and water-saving bodies all help them.

Humps, eyelashes, nostrils, and wide feet help camels survive in the desert.

Key Vocabulary

Word	Meaning and example
camel	a large desert animal with one or two humps A camel can walk across sand.
desert	a very dry place with little rain The desert has little water.
hump	a raised part on a camel's back that stores fat A camel's hump stores fat.
store	to keep something for later use The body can store energy.
survive	to stay alive Camels can survive in hot deserts.

Reading Questions

1. What kind of place is a desert?
2. What does a camel's hump store?
3. How do long eyelashes help camels?
4. Why are wide feet useful in sand?
5. Why can camels survive in the desert?

Answers

1. A desert is a very dry place with little rain.
2. A camel's hump stores fat.
3. They help keep sand out of the eyes.
4. They spread out and help the camel not sink deeply.
5. Their body features help them save water, walk on sand, and handle heat.

Short Summary

Camels live in deserts because their bodies have useful features. Humps, eyelashes, nostrils, wide feet, and water-saving bodies help them survive.

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