An animal hump is a distinct anatomical feature, a rounded protrusion on an animal’s back or shoulders. Its composition and function vary significantly across species, representing a remarkable adaptation to their environments.
The Famous Humped Animals
Among the most recognized animals possessing humps are camels, specifically the dromedary and Bactrian camels. The dromedary camel, often called the Arabian camel, features a single hump on its back. This hump is composed primarily of fat, bound together by fibrous tissue.
In contrast, the Bactrian camel, found in Central Asian steppes, is characterized by two humps. These humps, also made of fatty tissue, store significant fat reserves. When well-fed, their humps are plump and upright, but they shrink and may flop to the side as fat reserves diminish.
Beyond the Camel: Other Humped Creatures
Beyond camels, other animals also feature prominent humps, though their composition and function often differ. The American bison has a noticeable hump between its shoulder blades. Unlike camel humps, the bison’s hump is primarily formed from powerful muscles supported by elongated vertebrae. This muscular structure allows bison to effectively use their heads for clearing snow to access buried forage during harsh winters.
Zebu cattle, or indicine cattle, also possess a distinctive hump above their shoulders. This hump consists of muscle, connective tissue, and some fat. Zebu humps assist in energy storage and thermoregulation, particularly in hot, tropical climates where these cattle thrive.
Other animals like the moose and white rhinoceros also exhibit humps or prominent bulges. A moose’s hump, over its shoulders, is composed of long spinal vertebrae covered by muscle, enabling it to shovel snow for food. The white rhinoceros has a bulge on the back of its neck, made of thickened skin, a fat pad, muscle, and ligament, which supports its massive head.
The Purpose Behind the Hump
The primary purpose of humps in animals like camels is to store fat, which serves as an energy reserve. This stored fat can be metabolized for sustenance when food sources are scarce, allowing camels to survive long periods without eating. It is a common misconception that camel humps store water; instead, camels store water in their bloodstream and other body tissues.
Humps also play a role in thermoregulation, particularly for animals in hot environments. By concentrating fat in a single area, camels minimize the insulating effect that fat distributed throughout the body would have, which helps them dissipate heat more efficiently. The fat in their humps can absorb heat during the day and release it at night, helping to regulate body temperature in extreme conditions.
For animals like bison, the hump’s muscular composition provides the strength necessary for specific behaviors. The powerful muscles in a bison’s hump, supported by elongated vertebrae, allow it to swing its head forcefully to clear snow. This adaptation is crucial for their survival in cold, snowy environments, demonstrating how humps serve diverse functional roles beyond simple fat storage.