Unseen Passage: Camel

Camel is called the ship of the desert because it has the ability to survive in the desert without food and water for six to ten days. They are able to withstand the loss of about one third of their body fluid without danger. Its nose, ears and eyes are formed in such a way that they are least affected by the dust of the desert. It is a very useful animal for the desert travellers and can carry enormous loads. It is commonly believed that a camel does not require food very regularly but, this notion is not correct. Because of its peculiarity of its body constitution it can store food and water for many days.

Camel has big hump on its back. As a matter of fact, this hump is a store house of fats. The camel uses the fat so stored as a source of energy during its long journey in the desert. Inside its belly it has two flask-shaped bags for storing water. When it does not get water it uses this stored water. It is on the strength of the fat and the water stored in hump and the bags respectively that it can go without food for a long time.

Q. Answer the following questions:

1. For how long can a camel survive without food and water?
2. Why is a camel called the ‘ship of the desert’?
3. Where does a camel store its food and water?
4. Which statement about the camel is not true.
   1. It does not require food regularly.
   2. It carries heavy loads.
   3. Its nose, ears and eyes are easily affected by the dust of the desert.
   4. It is very helpful for the desert travellers.
5. The word ‘enormous’ means.
   1. Very beautiful
   2. Very big
   3. Very slow

Answer

1. Camels can survive without food and water for six to ten days.
2. It has the ability to survive in the desert without food and water for many days. They are able to withstand the loss of one third of their body fluid without danger.
3. Inside its hump and two flask shaped bags in its belly. (
4. Its nose, ears and eyes are easily affected by the dust of the desert.
5. Very big.