Saguaro Cactus
| Title | Info |
|---|---|
| Common name | Cactus,Saguaro |
| Scientific name | Carnegiea gigantea |
| Taxonomic group | Cactaceae |
| Source | Dan L. Perlman |
| Ecosystems | Deserts |
| Nutrient cycles | Water |
| Selection and adaptations | Selection |
| Selection | Morphology |
| Date | September 28, 2000 |
| Location | Tucson,Arizona,USA,North America |
Saguaro Cacti, Sonoran Desert, Arizona. Saguaro, the archetypical cactus, actually has a rather limited distribution, as it is only found in southern Arizona and northern Mexico. These giants of the desert can reach 50ft (about 15m) in height and 10 tons (9,000kg) in weight, and they can live 200 years. They are marvelously adapted to life in a dry climate, with wide spreading roots that can quickly gather water from the infrequent rains of the region. Many animal species feed on or nest in saguaros, including the lesser long-nosed bat, which is listed as endangered by the US government.
