Animals That Drink A Lot Of Water

Some animals that drink a lot of water do so very little, such as camels, which are known for their endurance. On the other hand, there are cows and elephants, who hydrate themselves with plenty of liquid daily.

It is a well-known fact that life without water is unthinkable for all living beings. They so use various strategies to meet their thirst. Also, each creature needs different amounts of water depending on its size, habitat and lifestyle.

In this article, we will talk about five animals that drink a lot of water!

Animals That Drink A Lot Of Water

Elephants

Elephants top the list of animals that drink a lot of water. Did you know that a bathtub can hold about 50 gallons of water? That’s about as much water as an adult male elephant can drink in less than five minutes!

And in that case alone, these animals can hold about 2 gallons of liquid in their trunks.

Also, elephants are always looking for new water holes. These large mammals have highly developed instincts and can ‘smell’ water from several kilometers away.

Because of this, many animals follow elephant herds through the savanna as a safe way to find much-needed water. This explains why gazelles and zebras are frequently seen behind these enormous beasts.

Read Also: Animals With Trunks

Cows

It may come as a surprise, but the cow is the thirstiest animal, considering how much water it needs per body weight.

Depending on the milking capacity of the cow and the temperature outside, this may be a gallon or two per 100 pounds.

And if we keep in mind that the average cow weighs about 1,400 pounds, it’s easy to calculate that they need about 15 gallons on cold days to 30 gallons during warmer temperatures.

Finally, you might be surprised that a cow needs about 600 gallons of water to produce just one gallon of milk. And just one small packet (4 ounces) of butter calls for nearly 100 gallons of water!

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Camels

Let me be clear: if you’re wondering what’s in a camel’s hump, it’s not water. In fact, it is a fat that stores essential nutrients and helps camels stay hydrated for more than two weeks without drinking a sip of water.

But after this period, camels need to ‘refuel’ their water reserves to survive in the dry environment. And during just one flush, camels can drink up to 20 gallons of water.

Food can also help camels stay hydrated, but in deserts, there is less choice. So they must eat thorny, dry plants and low vegetation, which is not the best way to stay hydrated at high temperatures.

This is why these animals rely on their fat reserves to survive in harsh conditions.

Giraffes

Like all herbivores, giraffes meet most of their water needs through a plant-based diet. The number of leaves and fruits they eat in a day almost meets their hydration needs.

Yet, these gentle giants still need water. In fact, they rarely drink it but in large quantities. An average giraffe can drink 10 to 15 gallons a day!

Another interesting fact is how giraffes drink water. Because of their size and neck length, they do this exceptionally well.

When drinking, giraffes extend their front legs and land on the surface of the water, turning their heads back after drinking to ensure that the water reaches the right place.

Read Also: Animals With Long Necks

Horses

Horses are the last member of the list of animals that drink a lot of water. They are very active animals, even when they are not in their natural habitat.

In cold habitats, an idle horse of about 1,000 pounds will drink 6 to 10 gallons of water per day. However, in warmer climates, this amount can increase to 15 gallons of fresh water per day.

Although among thirsty animals, horses cannot store water. In fact, they will not be able to withstand liquid conditions for more than three or four days.

There is a saying that you should only drink water from springs where horses drink. It’s true, albeit it was presumably made while horses were still free to wander the wild.

These magnificent creatures have a very sophisticated sense of taste, therefore they won’t drink water that is stagnant, has algae in it, or contains any filth or muck.

Read Also: animals with Manes

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that we know which animals that drink a lot of water, let’s summarize the most common questions on the subject.

Do All Animals Drink Water?

Yes, practically all animals drink water because it is necessary for all living things to have access to it.

Some animals drink water daily and in moderation. While some animals rely on the liquid stored in their bodies to survive for months without water.

Nevertheless, there are a few species that, at least not normally, do not drink water.

For example, sand gazelles can go months without water due to their ability to ‘shrink’ their vital organs and thus reduce their fluid requirements.

Which Animal Drinks The Most Water?

Thanks to their size, elephants are among the animals that need the most water – they can drink 40 to 55 gallons of water in one sitting. Considering that they spend most of their time eating grass, twigs and grass, they need a lot of liquid to increase the digestion of these dry substances.

But, if we look at this parameter as water intake per pound of body weight, the animal that drinks the most water is the dairy cow. This bovid sometimes needs 2 gallons of water per 100 pounds!

Which Animal Drinks Water And Dies?

Kangaroo rats, small rodents adapted to life in dry areas, can be at risk if they drink water. Over time, this species has developed a mechanism to hydrate the body using water from the seeds. And an excess of water would deplete the existing supply, with fatal consequences.

But in general, animals are not at risk of death when drinking water. In fact, they often do so from dirty and polluted pits and still survive.

They have adapted to life in harsh conditions, meaning they have developed immunity to deal with bacteria and parasites from the water.