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.
The Prickly Pear Cactus
Some animals will obtain all or part of the water they require by consuming prickly pear cacti.Some animals will obtain all or part of the water they require by consuming prickly pear cacti.
In the United States, javelina and deer will eat prickly pear cacti. Some insects and a few rodents as well as the desert tortoise may dine on cacti.I do not know of any animals that eat cacti, on account of their spines, however, some bats, bees, and probably butterflies eat cactus nectar, and various animals may eat their fruit. Humans, however, do eat edible cacti, because they can cut off the spines. An example of an edible cacti is the prickly pear cactus.Deer and rabbits eat the cactus flowerbuds...
Cacti are producers! Producers are plants and plants do not 'eat' other plants.
There are few animals in the desert that dine on cacti and they usually restrict the menu to the prickly pear cactus. A number of insects are parasites on these cacti. Some rodents, rabbits and hares as well as tortoises, javelina, deer and antelope occasionally feed on prickly pears. Most other cacti are so densely spined that few animals will attack them for dinner.
desert tortouise
No large animals that I am aware of eat the saguaro. The prickly pear cactus is usually the choice for many animals.
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.
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) Javelina Coyote
Javalina, deer, rabbits, and even humans eat cactus. Various birds eat the fruit of the Saguaro and Prickly pear. Insects, birds, and bats pollinate the cactus.
Many cacti are covered with dense spines that discourage animals from feeding on them. Some contains drugs and toxins that make them unpalatable. However, the prickly pear cactus is used as a food source by a number of animals, including the javelina.
The Prickly Pear Cactus
There are few animals that will eat most cacti as many are unpalatable and contain hallucinogenics. The prickly pear, however, is eaten by such animals as rabbits, hares, tortoises, deer and javelina.
Animals such as desert tortoises, desert iguanas, and jackrabbits are known to eat cacti. These animals have adapted to digesting the tough, spiky exterior of cacti to extract moisture from the plant.
Yes. Yes it does.
Rabbits, deer & bear eat the young flower buds of the prickly pear cactus.
Yes, you can eat cactus pear seeds, which are found inside the fruit of the prickly pear cactus. They are crunchy and edible, though some people prefer to strain them out for a smoother texture when consuming the fruit. The seeds are rich in fiber and can provide some nutritional benefits. However, if you have digestive issues, it's best to consume them in moderation.