Last updated: May 21, 2024
Place
Signs of Life, Self-Guided Tour Stop 12
NPS
Quick Facts
Location:
32.254356427054425, -111.19688366825159
Significance:
Tour stop
Designation:
NPS
Stop 12: Signs of Life in a Saguaro Cactus
We mentioned holes in the ground but look up: there are holes in saguaros.as well. These are made by woodpeckers of two species: the Gila woodpecker and the gilded flicker. These birds bore holes into the flesh of the cacti and form chambers inside the plant in which to lay their eggs.
The plant responds by emitting a substance that coats its “wound” and stops the loss of water, much like a scab over a scrape or cut. The cactus uses this means to heal any cut in its tissue, as you can see from the saguaro in front of you which has several hard, grayish “scabs” on it.
When the woodpeckers abandon their nests, the nests are taken over by other animals. Elf owls (up from Mexico in the summer), cactus wrens, starlings, purple martins, kestrels, and other cavity nesting birds will use these homes, as will spiders, snakes, mice, and other desert creatures.
When the saguaro dies and rots away, pieces that were surrounded by the hardened “scab” will be left among the ribs and the powdery remains of the tissue. The woodpecker nests are vaguely shoe or sock shaped and are often called saguaro “boots.”
We mentioned holes in the ground but look up: there are holes in saguaros.as well. These are made by woodpeckers of two species: the Gila woodpecker and the gilded flicker. These birds bore holes into the flesh of the cacti and form chambers inside the plant in which to lay their eggs.
The plant responds by emitting a substance that coats its “wound” and stops the loss of water, much like a scab over a scrape or cut. The cactus uses this means to heal any cut in its tissue, as you can see from the saguaro in front of you which has several hard, grayish “scabs” on it.
When the woodpeckers abandon their nests, the nests are taken over by other animals. Elf owls (up from Mexico in the summer), cactus wrens, starlings, purple martins, kestrels, and other cavity nesting birds will use these homes, as will spiders, snakes, mice, and other desert creatures.
When the saguaro dies and rots away, pieces that were surrounded by the hardened “scab” will be left among the ribs and the powdery remains of the tissue. The woodpecker nests are vaguely shoe or sock shaped and are often called saguaro “boots.”