Water is fundamental to all living creatures, and many animals have unique ways of meeting their hydration needs. Some, like camels, are famous for their ability to survive long periods without drinking water. However, others, such as cows and elephants, are known to consume substantial amounts of liquid daily.
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In this article, we will focus on five animals that require an enormous amount of water to satisfy their thirst. Whether it’s to help with digestion, prevent overheating, or maintain energy levels, these animals are experts at quenching their thirst in the wild.
5 Animals That Drink a Lot of Water
Elephants
- Scientific Name: Loxodonta
- Diet: Herbivore
Elephants are truly amazing creatures, with incredible abilities to find water that other animals simply cannot match. Did you know that a typical bathtub can hold about 50 gallons of water? That might sound like a lot, but it’s actually roughly the amount of water that an adult male elephant can drink in less than five minutes!
In addition to their impressive drinking capacity, these animals can store up to 2 gallons of liquid in their trunks. Perhaps most fascinating of all, elephants have highly developed instincts that allow them to “smell” water from a distance of several kilometres away.
This makes them a natural source of guidance for many other animals in search of water, who often follow herds of elephants through the savannas. So the next time you see a group of gazelles or zebras trailing behind a herd of elephants, you’ll know they’re smart enough to know where to find the good stuff.
Cows
- Scientific Name: Bos taurus
- Diet: Herbivore
Have you ever wondered which animal is the thirstiest among all? Well, you might be surprised to know that it is none other than the cow! The amount of water a cow drinks per body weight is higher than any other animal. They can consume up to a gallon or two per 100 pounds depending on their lactation ability and outside temperature.
This means that a cow weighing about 1,400 pounds would need almost 15 gallons of water on cold days and up to 30 gallons during high temperatures. But, did you know that it takes around 600 gallons of water for a cow to produce just one gallon of milk? Shocking, right? And even a small pack of butter weighing just 4 oz calls for almost 100 gallons of water!
Camels
- Scientific Name: Camelus
- Diet: Herbivore
Have you ever wondered what’s inside a camel’s hump? You may be surprised to know that it’s not actually water. Camels store a specialized type of fat in their hump that helps them stay hydrated in the desert for more than two weeks without drinking a single sip of water.
However, after this period, camels require a significant amount of water to refuel their reserves and continue to survive in a harsh, dry environment.
While food could potentially provide hydration, camels in the desert have limited options and must resort to eating thorny, dry plants and low vegetation. It’s why these remarkable animals rely on their fat reserves to persevere through extreme and challenging conditions.
Giraffes
- Scientific Name: Giraffa
- Diet: Herbivore
Giraffes are known for their impressive size and unique features such as their long necks and spotted pattern. However, one interesting fact about these gentle giants is how they meet their hydration needs. Unlike many animals, giraffes rely mostly on plant-based foods for their water intake, with the number of leaves and fruits they consume in a day almost entirely satisfying their thirst.
However, this does not mean that they don’t need water at all. In fact, giraffes consume between 10 and 15 gallons of water a day, though they do so rarely and in large quantities. And due to their impressive size and long necks, giraffes drink in a rather peculiar way – by spreading their front legs wide and bending down to the water’s surface, before flipping their heads back to ensure the water flows smoothly down to where it’s needed.
Horses
- Scientific Name: Equus caballus
- Diet: Herbivore
It’s amazing to see just how active horses are, no matter where they are. Even in colder habitats, a 1,000-pound horse drinks up to 10 gallons of water daily, and in hot environments, that number can skyrocket to 15 gallons. What’s more, horses can’t store water, so they need to drink regularly. In fact, without water, they wouldn’t be able to survive for more than a few days.
That’s why there’s a saying that advises drinking water from the same place as horses. It might sound outdated, but horses are discerning drinkers who won’t touch water that’s dirty or stagnant. So if you see a horse taking a sip, chances are it’s safe to drink from the same source!
FAQs
With so many creatures in the vast animal kingdom, it’s no wonder that we’re still learning so much about their habits and behaviours. It’s been discovered that some animals require more water than others, and therefore, understanding their water needs is essential.
As a result, it’s important to address the most common questions on this subject so that we all have a better understanding of the habits of these remarkable creatures.
Do All Animals Drink Water?
Water is undoubtedly crucial for every living being on this planet. While some animals require a moderate amount of water every day, others can survive for months without it, relying on the liquid stored in their bodies.
However, there are a few exceptional creatures that do not drink water in the traditional sense. One such animal is the sand gazelle, which can go months without water by being able to ‘shrink’ its vital organs, thus reducing the need for liquid.
Which Animal Drinks the Most Water?
They hold the title for the animal with the most extensive water needs, capable of drinking between 40 and 55 gallons in one sitting. These gentle giants spend most of their time foraging on weeds, twigs, and hay, making their water consumption an essential part of their digestive process.
However, despite their massive size, elephants are not the animal that drinks the most water per pound of body weight. That title belongs to dairy cows, which sometimes require up to 2 gallons of water per 100 pounds.
Which Animal Drinks Water and Dies?
Kangaroo rats are a marvel of nature. These tiny rodents have adapted to live in dry areas by developing a unique mechanism for hydrating their bodies using water from seeds. It’s an amazing feat, but it also puts them in danger if they drink too much water.
Investigators warn that increasing water intake among kangaroo rats could wipe away their current supplies, resulting in fatal consequences. On the other hand, animals, in general, are not threatened when drinking water; they can drink from compromised and dirty sources and still survive.
Final Words
Overall, it’s clear that animals that drink a lot of water are able to survive and thrive in their environments thanks to this essential resource. Whether they live in freshwater or saltwater habitats, animals such as elephants and camels all have unique adaptations that enable them to consume and retain large amounts of water.
While some animals may have a higher demand for water due to the hot, dry conditions they live in, others may require more water to help them regulate their body temperature or excrete waste. Regardless of the reason, one thing is certain: without access to water, these creatures would not be able to survive.
Reference:
- https://www.peta.org/features/california-drought-stats/
- https://www.balisafarimarinepark.com/what-makes-camel-became-a-unique-animal/
- https://www.britannica.com/animal/jellyfish
A motivated philosophy graduate and student of wildlife conservation with a deep interest in human-wildlife relationships, including wildlife communication, environmental education, and conservation anthropology. Offers strong interpersonal, research, writing, and creativity skills.
