Adaptations

The Saguaro has many adaptations that all allow it to live in harsh and hot parts of the Sonoran desert. The Saguaro has waxy skin, its flowers open on cooler nights, can store massive amounts of water in its expanding ribs, it had has both tap and radial roots, the radial roots grow equal to the height of the Saguaro, and seals injuries with callous scar tissue so water does not escape. All of those adaptations allow the cactus to escape the water sucking heat and help prepare the cactus for droughts. Then there are the Saguaros spines and they are an integral part of the Saguaro’s life. They not only defend it from predators but also help direct rainwater into the depressions of the cactus, shade the cactus, and help redirect the wind and insulate the plant.

Uses

From humans to animals the Saguaro has a number of uses. Archaeological evidence shows that in the past, some Native Americans used the cactus's ribs for building supplies and collecting Saguaro fruit. Today, the Saguaro’s fruits are used to make wine, jelly, candies, and the high in protein seeds of the fruit are used as chicken feed. When it comes to animals, other than its fruit being a nutritious food source, the Saguaro is home to native birds such as Gila woodpeckers, purple martins, house finches, and gilded flickers. Animals like the flickers and woodpeckers are responsible for many of the hollowed out holes made in the Saguaro. Once these holes are abandoned they are used by even more animals.