More species of cacti have been identified in Big Bend National Park than in any other national park. Prickly pear cactus are the most common type of cacti found here, but in the lower elevations one can find other varieties such as cholla, rainbow cactus, eagle claw cactus, barrel cactus, and tasajillo. Shallow surface roots collect all available water, which the cactus stores in thick, waxy-covered pads, or stems. The pads are a good source of moisture, fiber, and nutrients for animals that brave the spines. Rodents bite into the edges of the pads between the spines, while javalinas have tough mouths that allow them to eat the entire pad, spines and all. The juicy ripe purple fruits are also a good food source for many animals.
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Itineraries across USA
Acadia
Arches National Park
Badlands
Big Bend
Biscayne
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison
Bryce Canyon
Canyonlands
Capitol Reef
Carlsbad Caverns
Channel Islands
Congaree
Crater Lake
Cuyahoga Valley
Death Valley
Dry Tortugas
Everglades
Gateway Arch
Glacier
Grand Canyon
Grand Teton
Great Basin
Great Smoky Mountains
Guadalupe Mountains
Haleakalā
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
Hot Springs
Indiana Dunes
Isle Royale
Joshua Tree
Kenai Fjords
Kobuk Valley
Lassen Volcanic
Mammoth Cave
Mesa Verde
Mount Rainier
North Cascades
Olympic
Petrified Forest
Pinnacles
Rocky Mountain
Saguaro
Shenandoah
Theodore Roosevelt
Virgin Islands
Voyageurs
White Sands
Wind Cave
Yellowstone
Yosemite
Zion