(Photograph = western screech owl, Adamphoto)
Introduction
Cacti provide benefits for humans and animals. Some cacti have edible leaves, flesh, and fruits. Others act as a source of water and help many desert animals to survive.
Cactus plants such as prickly pear are food for various bird species, mammals, and insects. Many birds, lizards, mammals, insects, and bats rely on the flowers, fruits, and flesh of saguaro and other cacti to survive in the desert. Some birds of prey and some ground animals make their nests in cacti.
The Details
For several desert birds, cacti are not only a source of food but a good shelter. These birds use the inside of the cacti to make themselves comfortable homes. Saguaro cacti make perfect hosts for most of these birds. For instance, the Gila woodpecker excavates their nests on the saguaro’s pulpy flesh. The good thing is that they only make a few holes on the outside layer of the cactus, allowing the plant to heal and continue growing normally. The cactus wren nests deep in the thorns of chollas.
The western screech owl is another desert animal that lives inside the saguaro cactus. The owl lives in the holes abandoned by other birds.
Most Opuntias have copious spines and glochids to deter predators. But this is not the case with the white-throated woodrat. This rodent lives in the western deserts is not scared of the spines. It commonly eats the flowers and fruits of Opuntias–enjoying the moisture, pulp and seeds. Apart from collecting the fruits from cacti, like the prickly pear cactus, they also collect the spines to surround their nests. Thus visitors who pay them a visit will get a sharp welcome. This strategy protects these rats from predators such as snakes and birds of prey.
Coyotes, kangaroo rats, jackrabbits, the javelina, and many insects also rely upon cacti for food and protection. Though spines generally protect cacti, some are inconsequential or even beneficial to certain animals.
Additional Reading: Rodent Population Densities at Organ Pipe National Monument
