What is stored in a camel's hump?

The camel's hump is a contiguous part of the animal's anatomy and does not serve as a separate storage tank; this part of the camel's body is composed primarily of fat. However, the camel can use the fat in this part of the body when food is scarce, and as the fat is used, the hump will become loose and droopy.

As the camel once again gains access to sufficient nutrition, the hump will rebuild and will once again become full of fat. The myth that camels store water in their humps may be linked to the fact that camels can survive for very long periods without water, though this ability is linked to their ability to consume large amounts of water at once.