Environment

 Most cacti live in hot, dry areas of the world. They live in a place where lots of herbivores may try to eat them. This is why they have sharp spines to make the plant dangerous to eat. The spines help shade the plant during especially hot days. The spines also channel rain water to the base of the plant.

  The cactus provides shelter and water for some animals in the surrounding habitat. Many owls find shelter inside holes in the cactus. The owl can drink some of the water inside the cactus.

Elf Owl Inside Saguaro Cactus