Who lives in the cactus (24 photos)

Saguaro cactus that grows in Mexico, Arizona and parts of California, it is a real giant grows to the size of a tree. And in this "tree" live interesting inhabitants.

1. Typically, the desert - is not a place that we associate with an abundance of life. But our planet is full of surprises. Saguaro cactus is able to survive in extremely harsh conditions.



2. And someone even able to make this their home cactus. For example, this type of woodpecker seems to feel more than confident among the thorns.



3. Although the saguaro - the national plant in Arizona, it is also growing in Mexico.



4. Its name comes from a combination of Spanish and local Indian languages. By tradition, they gathered red fruit saguaro, which were a major source of food.



5. This golden shiloklyuvy woodpecker will not find a lot of wood, but, nevertheless, he feels quite comfortable in the desert and on this cactus.



6. Cactus attracts many living organisms, it's just amazing.



7. It is very rare you see a hummingbird fluttering over a huge, like a candelabra cactus. Very, very long time this Cactus saguaro began his ascent to heaven. Although sometimes these cacti grow up to 15 meters, it begins to bloom only for 50 years.



8. local hummingbirds can be weighed in grams, and the saguaro can weigh up to 9000 kg. That is the difference.



9. The difference in age, too, can affect. Saguaro can live up to 200 years. When the first saguaro let their roots, they were the Napoleonic wars, and the Abraham Lincoln had not even been born. Even though it was quite advanced age, they die, mainly if uproots wind or washes them. However, even after their death, they are useful, for example, this house-wren. If you look at the pictures, you can see at the bottom of another inhabitant of a cactus - a lizard.



10. And the flock of finches using the cactus as a viewing platform to watch the nearby lake. The roots of the cactus is very wide, they absorb moisture from a large area around.



11. Although the cactus and hit us with their height and shape of its flowers are very small.



12. However, they have the perfect shape and attract large numbers of insects, ready to take the pollen produced by plants.



13. The flowers grow and remain open at night for the next day, so many people believe that birds and insects - the main pollinators of plants. Maybe it does not seem at first glance, but saguaro cactus flowers produce fruit, which can be up to 2000 seeds.



14. Cactus secured good relations with the surrounding nature, because its flowers are not compatible with each other. This means that they can not pollinate themselves, so they need the help of native mammals, birds and insects. As for pollination of several thousand seeds need a large amount of pollen, cactus becomes the center of life where blooms. In the photo: Paper wasps have made an unusual choice for the nest.



15. When the fruit ripens, it becomes reddish, attracting birds, for example, this house-wren. These fruits are an important part of the diet of these birds.



16. While some birds are not so grateful. For example, sometimes the woodpecker building a nest in saguaro, cactus which can not cope. We know that built in the wrong place, slots may kill the plant.



17. All birds of a certain size have to be careful, landing on a cactus. For example, this white-winged turtle.



18. However, the successful landing, can be considered safe and even invite a friend to midday cleaning wings.



19. Cactus attracts not only unusual and exotic birds - even the house sparrow could not resist the temptation to arrange a house in the cactus. For example, the male seems to feel at home in Arizona cactus.



20. However, it is unusual visitors how the hummingbirds really pleasing to the eye and the imagination.



21. The great horned owl and red-tailed hawk and repeatedly visited the cactus, but attracts them just is not the plant itself, but rather, mining, they see among the inhabitants of a cactus.



22. Although the saguaro is a source of food for many animals, there are those who know that it is better not to meddle.



23. One can only hope that this unique and wonderful ecosystem survive.



24. And yet, even if you are not satisfied in the cactus house or astringency tasted its fruits, you can always use it as a good perch, where you can bask in the sun after a hearty lunch.