Jumping or Teddy Bear Cholla

Description:

Fuzzy looking cactus that is actually very well armored with silvery sharp needles fully encasing the entire plant. The Teddy Bear name is from the shorter branches with the light colored needles look like Teddy Bear arms. The Jumping name comes from those dangerous needles that detach in segments as if they jumped off the plant to attach to you clothes and skin. Also if they are stepped one will jump and attach to your leg. The needles can be an inch long and very painful. Animals can use the plants to protect them from predators, by either nesting in the plants or using the needles to make nests. Second image is of the sterile fruit after the flowers bloom. Third image is a Cresote bush littered with segments of Cholla by the Packrat to make defensive nest.

Habitat:

desert floors of California and Mexico, 100 to 2000 ft elevation