CAREFULLY! :P
but seriously, take the fruits and be mindful of wearing gloves and cutting them on a surface you can easily clean ( like over a sink) cut off the skin with spikes being sure that none of the 'hairs' stick to the fruit. One the skin is taken off you can eat them.
desert tortouise
There is no such place as the Saguaro Desert. There is the Sonoran Desert where the saguaro cactus grows. Some small animals such as rodents and rabbits feed on the prickly pear as well as javelina, deer, pronghorns, bighorn sheep and tortoises.
Yes. Yes it does.
Rabbits, deer & bear eat the young flower buds of the prickly pear cactus.
Yes, cactus comprises about 40% of the pronghorns' diet.Clarification:No large animals that I am aware of eat the saguaro. The prickly pear cactus is usually the choice for many animals, including the pronghorn.
Yes, pack rats do eat the flesh of prickly pear cacti. They are able to navigate around the spines with their dexterous paws and consume the juicy interior of the cactus. Additionally, they may use the prickly pear pads as nesting material.
No large animals that I am aware of eat the saguaro. The prickly pear cactus is usually the choice for many animals.
the prickly pear is the opuntia genus and the most popular one is opuntia ficus indica and that is the one that people eat the pads and the fruit which looks like a pear.
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) Javelina Coyote
Coyotes eat prickly pear cactus primarily for its moisture content, especially in arid environments where water is scarce. The fruit and pads of the cactus provide a source of hydration and nutrition, including sugars and fiber. Additionally, the cactus can be a readily available food source when other prey is scarce, showcasing the coyote's adaptability in diverse habitats.
Cacti are producers! Producers are plants and plants do not 'eat' other plants.
The pads and fruit of the prickly pear cactus are edible. The fruit can be peeled and eaten raw. However, many experts suggest that the fruit is best when it is made into candy, jelly, juice, or wine. It is also available dried or in extract form.