How do camels walk on soft sand without sinking?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How do camels walk on soft sand without sinking?

The Big Idea

Camels walk on soft sand all day! Why don't they sink? It's all in their feet.

Wide Pads

Step one: Wide Pads. A camel has wide, flat feet with thick, leathery pads. When it steps, the foot spreads out and holds up the heavy body like a snowshoe on sand.

Joined Toes

Step two: Joined Toes. Its two toes are joined by tissue that helps spread its weight. A camel's foot spreads even wider when it puts weight on it.

Tough Pads

Step three: Tough Pads. The pads are tough, so the hot sand doesn't burn the camel's feet. A camel's feet are built for desert walking.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Thick. Joined. Wider. No burns.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! A camel's foot spreads wider when it puts weight on it. Camel feet work like snowshoes on sand. Pads resist heat. Camels have two joined toes.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Flatten some playdough. Push the eraser end of a pencil into it gently. Then put a cardboard square on the dough and push the pencil on top with the same force. Which one sinks less? Wide feet spread weight like a camel's.

Outro

A camel's wide, flat feet with thick, leathery pads spread out like snowshoes, holding it up on soft sand. Its two toes are joined to spread weight, and tough pads keep hot sand from burning its feet. Science is amazing! Keep wondering and keep exploring! Share what you learned with someone at home, and see what they think! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!