Saguaro Cactus

Alex Chase

Located in the Sonoran

Desert In western Arizona and

northern Mexico Lives only in the desert

Location

Can live to 150-200 years

old Can grow to 40-60 feet

tall but a 10 year old plant maybe only 1.5 feet tall

Can weigh up to 3200-4800 pounds if fully hydrated

Most important factors for growth are water and temperature

General Info.

Native birds carve out

holes in the cacti to make nests

Gila Woodpeckers, purple martins, and finches

The cactus repairs this damage by sealing the inside of its fibers and creating scar tissue to prevent more water loss

Nests

The Saguaro Cactus is a keystone species

It provides shelter and food for many organisms

Keystone Species

Cold weather and frost can kill the saguaro, so

high elevation is a factor

Decline in Species

Largest cactus in the USA After death its woody ribs can

be used to build roofs fences and parts of furniture

Produces flowers and fruit Most of the saguaros roots are

only 4-6 inches deep but stretch out as far from the plant as it is tall

There is one deep root, or tap root, that extends down into the ground more than 2 feet

Interesting Facts

http://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long-fact-sheets/Sagu

aro%20Cactus.php http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/saguaro_cactus.htm http://

www.ehow.com/info_12022901_eats-saguaro-cactus.html www.desertmuseum.org http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saguaro http://animals.pawnation.com/animals-eat-desert-pocket-mic

e-4525.html www.orangedonkey.net commons.wikimedia.org  www.123rf.com www.flickr.com www.tjsgarden.com

Bibliography