The two - hoofed toes of camels allow easy walking on desert because of

Assessment: JAMB UTME - Biology - 2025 Subject: Biology

Question 1 Report

The two - hoofed toes of camels allow easy walking on desert because of

Answer Details

Camels have broad, two-hoofed toes connected by a thick, leathery pad. When the camel steps on sand, the toes spread apart, creating an enlarged foot surface area. This increased surface area distributes the camel's body weight over a wider area, reducing the pressure exerted on the sand and preventing the animal from sinking into the loose desert substrate.

This principle follows the physics of pressure: \( P = \frac{F}{A} \), where P is pressure, F is force (body weight), and A is the contact area. By increasing the area, the pressure per unit area decreases, making it easier for the camel to walk on soft sand.

A narrow foot surface would cause the animal to sink deeper into the sand. "Elongated" and "long" foot surfaces do not accurately describe the adaptation; the critical feature is the widening or enlargement of the foot's contact area, not its length.

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