Most people associate camels with vast, dry landscapes, imagining them as creatures of the desert. This perception is largely accurate, as the two primary types of camels—the single-humped Dromedary and the double-humped Bactrian—are renowned for their ability to survive in arid environments for extended periods. Their physiological adaptations for water conservation and heat tolerance are well-documented, leading to the assumption that these large mammals are entirely terrestrial. The idea of a camel entering deep water seems counterintuitive, yet there is a singular, localized exception to the rule of the desert-dwelling camel.
Anatomy Built for Arid Climates
The typical camel body structure is optimized for traversing soft ground and conserving fluid, not for aquatic propulsion. Camels possess wide, soft, and padded feet that spread their weight, preventing them from sinking into loose sand. However, these feet offer little surface area or rigidity for pushing against water. Their large body mass, which can reach up to 1,600 pounds for a Dromedary, and dense bone structure create a challenging buoyancy profile for swimming.
A camel’s physiology is geared toward drought tolerance, including an ability to conserve water by producing highly concentrated urine and feces, and tolerating a body temperature fluctuation of over 10 degrees Fahrenheit. These internal systems prioritize regulating fluids in a dry climate rather than managing the challenges of a large body of water. The animal’s biomechanics are specialized for terrestrial movement, making most camels poorly equipped for long-distance swimming.
The Unique Coastal Swimmer
The type of camel that defies this desert adaptation is the Kharai camel, a distinct breed of the Dromedary found in the coastal marshlands of the Kutch region in Gujarat, India. This animal is locally known as “Dariyataru,” which translates to “sea-swimmer,” highlighting its unusual ability. Unlike their desert relatives, Kharai camels regularly swim through the Arabian Sea, navigating tidal creeks and coastal waters.
These camels can traverse distances up to three kilometers in the water to reach grazing grounds on small island groves. The Kharai camel’s hooves are adapted for the wet, salty coastal terrain, allowing them to navigate both the slick mud and the ocean floor. This behavior is a localized adaptation, and it is not a trait shared by the broader population of Dromedary or Bactrian camels. The breed’s ability to live in this dual land-and-sea ecosystem has led to it being officially recognized as a separate breed in India.
How Swimming Camels Forage
The Kharai camel’s swimming is driven by the necessity to access its primary food source: mangrove leaves and other salt-tolerant vegetation. During the monsoon, the camels swim to isolated mangrove islands, often staying there for days or months to graze. The need to cross tidal channels and the Gulf of Kutch to reach these islands forces the regular aquatic movement.
The high salt content of their mangrove diet necessitates that the camels return to the mainland every few days to drink fresh water, which is collected from wells or rainwater depressions. This cycle of swimming to graze on saline plants and returning for fresh water is fundamental to their survival. Unfortunately, this specialized lifestyle and habitat are under increasing threat from coastal industrialization and the loss of mangrove forests, placing the Kharai camel breed on the path to becoming endangered.