Camels mainly eat desert plants like dry grasses, leaves, twigs, thorny bushes, saltbush, and cacti. In captivity, they may also be fed hay, grains, fruits, vegetables, and mineral supplements.

What they eat in the wild

  • Dry grasses.
  • Leaves, twigs, and stems.
  • Thorny and salty plants such as saltbush and cactus.
  • Other tough desert shrubs and green shoots when available.

What they eat in captivity

  • Alfalfa pellets or hay.
  • Grains like oats and wheat.
  • Fruits and vegetables such as carrots, apples, and dates.
  • Salt blocks and vitamin/mineral supplements.

A small note

Camels are built to handle rough, sparse food, which is why they can survive in places where many animals cannot. Some sources also note they may eat non- plant foods like meat or fish when food is extremely scarce.

TL;DR: Camels mostly eat dry desert plants, especially grasses, leaves, twigs, thorny shrubs, and salt-tolerant vegetation.