The needles provide protection from animals that feed on cacti. They also provide shade in some species with dense coverings of spines. The needles were originally leaves that evolved over years to needles. Leaves lose much more water to the atmosphere that the spines do.
Cactus spines also act as condensation collectors, especially in arid regions with daily fogs like the coastal strip of the Atacama Desert in South America. In addition to watering the cactus, the water dripping off the spines is an important source of moisture for local wildlife.
Some cactus spines even provide a means of propagation by clinging to passersby and causing a segment of the cactus stem to detach from the parent plant, which it does quite easily, and travel with the host animal to wherever the animal dislodges it and the stem can now grow again in a new spot.Easy to answer. Some animals want the water from the cactus, but they can't because of the needles
A cactus typically lives in desert biomes, where they are adapted to survive in arid conditions with low rainfall and high temperatures.
The leaves of cacti are reduced to needles and spines primarily to minimize water loss in their arid environments. This adaptation reduces the surface area exposed to the sun and decreases transpiration, helping the plant conserve moisture. Additionally, the spines can provide some protection from herbivores and help to create shade, further supporting the cactus's survival in harsh conditions. Overall, these modifications are crucial for their adaptation to desert habitats.
Jade cactus, or Crassula perfoliata var. falcata, thrives in desert environments due to its adaptation to arid conditions. It has evolved thick, fleshy leaves that store water, allowing it to survive long periods of drought. Additionally, its ability to tolerate high temperatures and poor soil makes it well-suited for the harsh desert climate. These adaptations help the jade cactus efficiently utilize available resources and minimize water loss.
The cactus is one of the few plants found in the desert, and in order to survive it needs a massive amount of water. Since it does not rain all year round in a desert, cacti store water when it does rain. So the needles on the cactus protect their water-rich flesh from other things in the desert.
One of the most heat-tolerant plants is the desert plant known as the Saguaro cactus. It thrives in hot, arid conditions and can withstand extreme temperatures in the desert.
cactus
A simile for a prickly cactus could be "as sharp as a cactus spine." This comparison emphasizes the sharpness and potential danger of the cactus's needles, evoking a vivid image of its prickly nature. Another example might be "like a cactus in a desert, tough and resilient." This highlights both the cactus's physical characteristics and its ability to thrive in harsh conditions.
cactus and dates were the native plants of deserts
sagebrush,cactus,ocotillo,brittle bush,mojave aster,and desert ironwoodPut
Most cacti are able to store water in their stems for periods of drought.
After the brief stop in the desert, Susan talked about a roadrunner and a cactus wren. She mentioned the roadrunner's unique ability to run at high speeds and its connection to the desert environment. Additionally, she highlighted the cactus wren's adaptation to arid conditions and its distinctive nesting habits.
A cactus typically lives in desert biomes, where they are adapted to survive in arid conditions with low rainfall and high temperatures.
Because they are in the desert where the effect of the sun is overkilling,hence they have evolved this form for their survival(adaptation)
The leaves of cacti are reduced to needles and spines primarily to minimize water loss in their arid environments. This adaptation reduces the surface area exposed to the sun and decreases transpiration, helping the plant conserve moisture. Additionally, the spines can provide some protection from herbivores and help to create shade, further supporting the cactus's survival in harsh conditions. Overall, these modifications are crucial for their adaptation to desert habitats.
The cactus has a number of structural adaptations that allow it to live in the harsh conditions of the desert. Many other plants lack these adaptations and cannot survive in a desert.
Jade cactus, or Crassula perfoliata var. falcata, thrives in desert environments due to its adaptation to arid conditions. It has evolved thick, fleshy leaves that store water, allowing it to survive long periods of drought. Additionally, its ability to tolerate high temperatures and poor soil makes it well-suited for the harsh desert climate. These adaptations help the jade cactus efficiently utilize available resources and minimize water loss.
Adaptation to their changing environmental conditions.