How can a cactus live without water?
Plants need water to survive, which is an idea you're probably already pretty familiar with. But a cactus is known for being able to live with very, very little water!
Cactuses (sometimes also called "cacti") are a type of plant called a "succulent," and are best known for living in hot, dry places like the desert, where they do not get a lot of water. Cactuses do need some water to survive, but can get along with a lot less than most plants.
One reason cactuses can get along with less water is because they don't have leaves, so the water a cactus drinks does not evaporate as much as the water other plants drink. Additionally, cactuses have thick stalks which allow them to store water for a long time and roots that are good at finding and soaking up water even when its scarce! - Neat!
by Mya Kagan (Whyzz writer)
Exploration
Water Storage
Just like a cactus is able to get along in the desert with very little water, there's an animal also known for living in the desert who stores water too! Do you know what animal that is?? The answer is the camel! If you were going to be in a hot place, what are some things (like water) that you might plan to bring along??
Further Information
Prickly Pear
If you’re ever on a hike in the field, look out for nature’s emergency kit, the Prickly Pear. This handy cactus is very tough and grows easily in harsh terrains. What makes the Prickly Pear so special? It stores a lot of water while being a healthy food source. It is also a natural remedy for inflammation and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. The most remarkable thing about this plant is that its flesh (mucilage) can be used to purify water, cleaning it from bacteria and toxins.
