4 How do animals and plants survive in the Sonoran Desert, Arizona, USA ? 4 A presentation supplied by North Chadderton School, Oldham, Lancashire, England

4 Does a barrel cactus contain water ? 4 Yes, the Barrel Cactus does store water, but it is not free flowing. The water is stored in special tissue. 4 Jackrabbits and other animals can survive in very hot conditions by eating this moist pulp.

4 Some people have been known to survive by eating this moist pulp. However, certain species of cactus can contain toxins harmful to humans. 4 In addition, Arizona Native Plant Law prohibits damaging and destroying barrel cacti and other native plants

4 The white-winged dove has a plump body which gives it a high mass-to- surface area ratio, which minimises moisture loss. 4 The plump body also insulates them from extremes of temperature..

4 The white-winged dove eats dry seeds, and the fruit provided by cacti. 4 They can go without water for four or five days, and fly up to 10 miles to find water.

4 The white-winged dove survive even if their body weight is reduced by 20% by dehydration, and they are able to drink salt water. 4 They are able to rehydrate quickly, and suck up water like a mammal, unlike most birds.

4 Rodents can sometimes kill a Saguaro cactus, by chewing at its moist pulp. 4 The Red-Tailed Hawk helps to reduce the rodent population around the cactus, by killing the rodents for food.

4 During the summer, temperatures can reach over 110 o F. 4 The jackrabbit is able to release heat through its long ears and legs.

4 Following rain showers the Ocotillo plant grows leaves along its thorny stems. 4 During a shortage of rain the leaves turn brown and fall. This conserves water, by reducing evaporation.

4 The green bark of the Ocotillo take over the functions of the leaves during heavy periods of drought. 4 The process of photosynthesis is able to continue.

4 The Saguaro provides home and protection for birds and other small animals. 4 It provides food for its neighbours. 4 It can store large amounts of water in its fleshy tissue

4 The Desert Mariposa unfolds its orange coloured blossoms only in the Spring. 4 During the rest of the year the foliage is dead. 4 It EVADES the action of the desert heat.

4 The diet of the Peccary consists of shrubs, grass, mesquite beans, cacti and various roots and tubers. 4 They are able to eat cactus, with the prickly spines ! They also eat nuts and berries. 4 They are able to extract sufficient moisture from this diet for several days at a time.

4 The Peccary chooses its location carefully, for shelter. 4 They use twisting courses of desert washes with the shade provided by the trees. 4 Living in large cavities provided by erosion of the banks, also offers suitable hiding places.

4 The signature plant of the Sonoron Desert : it does not exist anywhere else in the world 4 Tall column-shaped cactus with pleated stems. Can grow to 40' (12m). 4 Produces white flowers in Spring. 4 Has a shallow root system, and can absorb gallons of water during a single rainfall.

4 The pleats in its trunk allow for expansion, so that it can hold tons of water, to last through the periods of low rainfall. 4 The waxy, tough coat minimises loss of water by evaporation. 4 Can live up to 200 years. 4 Smaller saguaros live under 'nurse' plants, which provide shelter during the early years.

4 Cavities in the stems are made by woodpeckers, and they use them as nests. 4 Once the woodpeckers move out these homes are soon adopted by other visitors, such as elf owls, flycatchers, purple martins, and brown bats. 4 Damage can occur sometimes by sudden frosts, lightning, high winds.

4 Seeds swallowed by animals and birds pass through their digestive system unharmed. When deposited under trees and shrubs they are given a chance to germinate. 4 Harvester ants gather seeds by the million, and store them in an underground food reservoir, too deep for the seeds to sprout. 4 Fortunately, the Saguaro produces enough seeds to more than compensate for this loss !