Do Camels Really Eat Cactus?

With a limited amount of food available in the desert, camels have a unique diet that includes dry grasses, shrubs, leaves, and occasionally cacti when other food sources are scarce. How they eat cacti without hurting themselves offers an interesting insight into their biology and evolution. This YouTube Short by @camel.369 shows a camel eating a whole cactus, seemingly unbothered by the spikes. Read on to learn how camels are able to eat cacti.

Camel Diets

Camels are herbivores that make the most out of the vegetation in their arid habitats. Unlike grazers that feed on grasses, camels are browsers that feed on tree leaves, shrubs, and thorny plants that other animals avoid. Because many plants in desert and arid regions are spiky and dangerous to eat, camels are uniquely adapted to feed on vegetation that other animals avoid. Cacti have high water content and can help camels stay hydrated in extremely dry conditions. They also provide some fiber and minerals, making them a useful fallback food when no other plants are available.

Some of the other plants that camels eat include dry grass, shrubs, leaves, and bark. Camels are both smart and opportunistic. Given the scarcity of greenery and vegetation in deserts, they make the most of what is available. Surprisingly, cacti are not their preferred food.. However, when food is scarce, camels may eat cacti and, in extreme cases, have even been known to consume unusual items such as bones or carrion. This highlights the endurance of camels and their remarkable ability to survive in harsh environments.

How Can They Eat Cacti?

Camels have unique mouth structures that allow them to eat cacti. One reason is the presence of papillae. Papillae are bumps on the tongue that help grip food; in camels, these structures are specially adapted. Camel papillae face backward, helping to guide the cactus straight back and down the throat, which prevents snagging in the mouth. Their mouths are also lined with tough, leathery tissue, which prevents cuts or abrasions when eating cacti. They also produce thick saliva that coats the cactus, softening it and making it easier to swallow. Finally, camels may have a high pain tolerance. While it is impossible to avoid being poked by cactus spines entirely, camels seem to tolerate the discomfort in exchange for the nutritional benefits.