its because the needles are actually leaves. they are small because if they were bigger, then they would waste water. also, the "leaves" have small waxy cuticles(i think that's how to spell them) that trap water and store it in the cacti's trunk.
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.
The desert cactus
The desert cactus
The jumping cholla [Cylindropuntia bigelovii] doesn't need to launch its thorns. The thorns just loosen easily in response to strong wind events, or contact. The cactus is native to North America. In Mexico, it's found in the Sonoran Desert. In the U.S., it's found in Arizona, California, and Texas. It's also known by a number of common names, including the ironic Teddy Bear cholla.
One common succulent plant with thorns in desert biomes is the Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus). This plant has thick stems covered in sharp spines that help protect it from predators. Another example is the Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), which is a spiny desert succulent that grows long, thorny branches.
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.
The desert cactus
The desert cactus
Cactus remain in the desert because they can survive in harsh environments. Cactus plants have the ability to collect all the water they can get, and store it inside them for months on end. The "thorns" or "pricks" of the cactus, protect the plant from animals who might want to eat it.Cactus is formed in the desert due to scarecity of water, high temperature and less organic matter in the soil.
Pioneers of northern Mexico and of the southwestern United States of America tried to ease cactus thorns out or remove them by force. They applied poultices to encourage the thorns to work their way out of the skin. Or they soaked the affected parts, for the same reason. Or they tried to remove them with heated, sterilized needles.
cactus
The horticulture students were amazed at the variety of cacti present in the Arizona desert.
The barrel cactus survive long periods of drought by storing sparse rain water in stem cells. Other species of cacti also store water. Leaves have evolved into thin spikes and thorns to reduce water loss, which would occur with conventual broad-leaves.
The jumping cholla [Cylindropuntia bigelovii] doesn't need to launch its thorns. The thorns just loosen easily in response to strong wind events, or contact. The cactus is native to North America. In Mexico, it's found in the Sonoran Desert. In the U.S., it's found in Arizona, California, and Texas. It's also known by a number of common names, including the ironic Teddy Bear cholla.
defence. the cacti leaves are the thorns...
One common succulent plant with thorns in desert biomes is the Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus). This plant has thick stems covered in sharp spines that help protect it from predators. Another example is the Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), which is a spiny desert succulent that grows long, thorny branches.
In the 19th century, cactus thorns were removed by sterilized sewing needles if they needed to be picked out. Or they were removed by poultices if they needed to be soaked up to the surface. Once at the surface, they were hand pulled out if they were big and visible enough. They were removed by sterilized sewing needles if they didn't come out on their own or by human hands. Or they were cut off at the surface if one end stuck out and the other was embedded. The embedded end then was left to be dissolved by the normal course of body biochemistry.