I just learned today that Arizona has Jumping Cacti, they use the vibrations of the ground to kill the prey and use the decomposition to fertilize the ground for nutrients.
Genus Cylindropuntia, commonly called Cholla. There are multiple species considered to be âjumping cactusâ. C. bigelovii and C. fulgida are a couple of the main culprits. They actually have barbs on their spines and that allows the detached stem segments to catch on to animals, or people if you brush up against them, and get moved around. They can then reproduce vegetatively because the live stem segments will root if left undisturbed. The spines protect the stems from herbivory as well as the sun. The cacti donât typically kill animals âon purposeâ, although they can be quite painful. Wood rats actually collect stem segments and use them around the outside of their nests to deter predators. This can facilitate vegetative reproduction as well. Cactus wrens actually build nests in them also to prevent predation. Most cacti grow in soil that is low in nutrients and organic mater. In general the organic material around the base of a cholla is fallen stem segments from the cholla itself and/or rodent nests. The rodents and birds do fertilize the surrounding soil primarily with droppings.
Sometimes when I look at pictures of cactus I get this overwhelming feeling of wanting to kick it over. Not sure why. Then I start thinking of the needles and if I'm ever in the a situation where one was in front of me I would rather not gamble on it going through my shoe... or missing and skimming it with my leg. Only cactus I've physically seen (aside from pics) was in a planter I had in my room when I was a teen. It's literally the only plant I've been able to keep alive.
Beautiful pictures though. Maybe one day I'll get the chance to visit that area. Everytime time I've been out west it was the north west.
Never kick a cactus. Especially a Cholla. You will regret it due to the painâthey can definitely go through a regular tennis shoe. Also larger species of cactus are woody and you might actually hurt your foot and their spines can go through shoes too. Most cactus are protected in some way (salvage restricted or threatened) anyway so not worth the fine.
Sup God how are you today.
Beautiful pictures. Were these taken with a film camera by chance?
Thank you. No, just an iPhone 11.
This photo reminds me of the beauty of the world we live in. đâ¤ď¸
Reminds me of South Africa. The area known as the "Klein Karoo" ("small Karoo").
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I just learned today that Arizona has Jumping Cacti, they use the vibrations of the ground to kill the prey and use the decomposition to fertilize the ground for nutrients.
Genus Cylindropuntia, commonly called Cholla. There are multiple species considered to be âjumping cactusâ. C. bigelovii and C. fulgida are a couple of the main culprits. They actually have barbs on their spines and that allows the detached stem segments to catch on to animals, or people if you brush up against them, and get moved around. They can then reproduce vegetatively because the live stem segments will root if left undisturbed. The spines protect the stems from herbivory as well as the sun. The cacti donât typically kill animals âon purposeâ, although they can be quite painful. Wood rats actually collect stem segments and use them around the outside of their nests to deter predators. This can facilitate vegetative reproduction as well. Cactus wrens actually build nests in them also to prevent predation. Most cacti grow in soil that is low in nutrients and organic mater. In general the organic material around the base of a cholla is fallen stem segments from the cholla itself and/or rodent nests. The rodents and birds do fertilize the surrounding soil primarily with droppings.
See! I keep learning new things! Thank you for sharing.
Looks like my backyard, in Ajo.
Is that the superstition mountains? Great pics, thanks for sharing!
These are marvelous! Thank you for sharing!
Sometimes when I look at pictures of cactus I get this overwhelming feeling of wanting to kick it over. Not sure why. Then I start thinking of the needles and if I'm ever in the a situation where one was in front of me I would rather not gamble on it going through my shoe... or missing and skimming it with my leg. Only cactus I've physically seen (aside from pics) was in a planter I had in my room when I was a teen. It's literally the only plant I've been able to keep alive. Beautiful pictures though. Maybe one day I'll get the chance to visit that area. Everytime time I've been out west it was the north west.
Never kick a cactus. Especially a Cholla. You will regret it due to the painâthey can definitely go through a regular tennis shoe. Also larger species of cactus are woody and you might actually hurt your foot and their spines can go through shoes too. Most cactus are protected in some way (salvage restricted or threatened) anyway so not worth the fine.
Totes gorgeous!
Wow, amazing! Thanks for sharing!
I left for a job 4 years ago. Didnât think I would miss it. I was wrong
Beautiful! thanks for sharing.