The animal known for carrying heavy loads in the desert is the camel. Often referred to as the "ship of the desert," camels are specially adapted to thrive in arid conditions. Their ability to conserve water, tolerate high temperatures, and travel long distances without food or drink make them ideal pack animals. Camels have a unique physiology, including humps that store fat, which can be metabolized for energy when resources are scarce. There are two main types of camels: the dromedary, with one hump, and the Bactrian, with two humps, both of which are integral to nomadic cultures in desert regions.