Key Words:

Abundant: numerous; present in large numbers

Conserve: to protect from loss

Desolate: bare; empty; having few or no living things

Diverse: having a variety of different animals and plants

Pollinate: to help plants reproduce by moving pollen from one flower to another

Symbol: an item or object that stands for or represents another object

When you think of the desert, what image comes to your mind? What do you “see?” Are there any plants or ani-mals? Now, before you lose that image, grab some paper and crayons. Take a few moments and draw the picture of the desert you now have in your mind.

What is in your picture? Is it full of life? Are plants abundant? Are animals thriving? Or, is it desolate, with sand as far as you can see?

Often, our view of the desert is one with little to no life — perhaps a single cactus surrounded by nothing but sand and rocks. But, in Arizona, this is rarely the case!

The Sonoran Desert, one of four deserts found in Arizona and North America, is extremely diverse, contain-

ing more species of animals and plants than most other areas its size. One of the most easily recognized plants in the Sonoran Desert is the saguaro

cactus, which can be as tall as a five-story building! These desert giants are a sym-bol of Arizona. And they are responsible for much of the diversity found in the desert. Many animals rely on the saguaro for food, shelter and more.

Let’s take a look at the different parts of the saguaro, and just some of the animals that use them:

FlowersSaguaro cactus blossoms are large and white, and grow in clumps at the tip of a cactus’ arms. Unlike most flowers, they open at night and remain open until the afternoon. During the night, some bats may visit the blossom and eat the nectar and pollen. Many other animals, including doves and bees, feed on the flowers during the day.

Fruits and SeedsOnce the flowers have been pollinated (often by bats, birds and bees), they turn into bright-red fruits about the size of your fist. Thousands of seeds are found inside the fruit. Each seed is tiny 

— slightly larger than the period at the end of this sentence. Many birds, such as doves, woodpeckers and finches, eat the fruit. Rabbits, coyotes and jave-lina enjoy the fruit once it falls to the ground. Even pack rats and small mice eat the seeds.

Body and ArmsEven though the saguaro cactus stands tall like a tree, its body is very different. While most trees are covered in woody bark, saguaros — like all cacti — are wrapped in a leathery “skin.” This helps them conserve water in the hot, dry desert. Plus, they are completely cov-ered in sharp spines, making it difficult for animals to get close.

However, some animals have found a way to make the saguaro into a home! The Gila woodpecker is able to get around the spines and peck a hole into the side of the cactus. When the hole is big enough, the woodpecker uses it as a home. After a short time, the bird moves on and other animals, such as screech owls, move in. The red-tailed hawk has a different idea. It often just builds a nest directly on the arms of the saguaro.

DeathA saguaro may live to be more than 150 years old. Eventually, however, it dies. But even this isn’t the end for the saguaro. Many animals, including mice, lizards, snakes and bugs, use the fallen saguaro as shelter. Nothing is ever wasted in a harsh environment like the Sonoran Desert.

Think Critically:

1. How are saguaro flowers different from most other flowers?

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

2. Why can’t rabbits eat the saguaro fruit when it is still attached to the cactus?

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

3. Name three animals that use the saguaro for food. Name three ani-mals that use it for shelter.

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

Just for Fun:

Obviously, the saguaro cactus is important to the Sonoran Desert. Arizona would be a very different place without this plant. Look at your drawing again. Does it include a saguaro cactus? If not, add one. Don’t forget to draw some of the animals that use the saguaro, as well.

Pho

tos

by G

eorg

e A

ndre

jko

■ This feature is part of the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Focus Wild Arizona program, a free educa-

tional program for teachers, parents, students or anyone interested in learning about wildlife and habitat. Visit

our Web site, www.azgfd.gov/focuswild, to find exciting lessons and resources.

By Eric Proctor

34 A R I Z O N A W I L D L I F E V I E W S ■ March–April 2011 March–April 2011 ■ A R I Z O N A W I L D L I F E V I E W S 35

Key Words:

Abundant: numerous; present in large numbers

Conserve: to protect from loss

Desolate: bare; empty; having few or no living things

Diverse: having a variety of different animals and plants

Pollinate: to help plants reproduce by moving pollen from one flower to another

Symbol: an item or object that stands for or represents another object

When you think of the desert, what image comes to your mind? What do you “see?” Are there any plants or ani-mals? Now, before you lose that image, grab some paper and crayons. Take a few moments and draw the picture of the desert you now have in your mind.

What is in your picture? Is it full of life? Are plants abundant? Are animals thriving? Or, is it desolate, with sand as far as you can see?

Often, our view of the desert is one with little to no life — perhaps a single cactus surrounded by nothing but sand and rocks. But, in Arizona, this is rarely the case!

The Sonoran Desert, one of four deserts found in Arizona and North America, is extremely diverse, contain-

ing more species of animals and plants than most other areas its size. One of the most easily recognized plants in the Sonoran Desert is the saguaro

cactus, which can be as tall as a five-story building! These desert giants are a sym-bol of Arizona. And they are responsible for much of the diversity found in the desert. Many animals rely on the saguaro for food, shelter and more.

Let’s take a look at the different parts of the saguaro, and just some of the animals that use them:

FlowersSaguaro cactus blossoms are large and white, and grow in clumps at the tip of a cactus’ arms. Unlike most flowers, they open at night and remain open until the afternoon. During the night, some bats may visit the blossom and eat the nectar and pollen. Many other animals, including doves and bees, feed on the flowers during the day.

Fruits and SeedsOnce the flowers have been pollinated (often by bats, birds and bees), they turn into bright-red fruits about the size of your fist. Thousands of seeds are found inside the fruit. Each seed is tiny 

— slightly larger than the period at the end of this sentence. Many birds, such as doves, woodpeckers and finches, eat the fruit. Rabbits, coyotes and jave-lina enjoy the fruit once it falls to the ground. Even pack rats and small mice eat the seeds.

Body and ArmsEven though the saguaro cactus stands tall like a tree, its body is very different. While most trees are covered in woody bark, saguaros — like all cacti — are wrapped in a leathery “skin.” This helps them conserve water in the hot, dry desert. Plus, they are completely cov-ered in sharp spines, making it difficult for animals to get close.

However, some animals have found a way to make the saguaro into a home! The Gila woodpecker is able to get around the spines and peck a hole into the side of the cactus. When the hole is big enough, the woodpecker uses it as a home. After a short time, the bird moves on and other animals, such as screech owls, move in. The red-tailed hawk has a different idea. It often just builds a nest directly on the arms of the saguaro.

DeathA saguaro may live to be more than 150 years old. Eventually, however, it dies. But even this isn’t the end for the saguaro. Many animals, including mice, lizards, snakes and bugs, use the fallen saguaro as shelter. Nothing is ever wasted in a harsh environment like the Sonoran Desert.

Think Critically:

1. How are saguaro flowers different from most other flowers?

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

2. Why can’t rabbits eat the saguaro fruit when it is still attached to the cactus?

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

3. Name three animals that use the saguaro for food. Name three ani-mals that use it for shelter.

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

Just for Fun:

Obviously, the saguaro cactus is important to the Sonoran Desert. Arizona would be a very different place without this plant. Look at your drawing again. Does it include a saguaro cactus? If not, add one. Don’t forget to draw some of the animals that use the saguaro, as well.

Pho

tos

by G

eorg

e A

ndre

jko

■ This feature is part of the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Focus Wild Arizona program, a free educa-

tional program for teachers, parents, students or anyone interested in learning about wildlife and habitat. Visit

our Web site, www.azgfd.gov/focuswild, to find exciting lessons and resources.

By Eric Proctor

34 A R I Z O N A W I L D L I F E V I E W S ■ March–April 2011 March–April 2011 ■ A R I Z O N A W I L D L I F E V I E W S 35