Last Updated on March 25, 2024
The world of cacti is diverse and fascinating, with species ranging from the benign to the downright dangerous.
The most dangerous of them all is the Teddy Bear Cholla Cactus (Cylindropuntia bigelovii), a species native to the Sonoran Desert. This cactus is known for its sharp spines that can easily become embedded in the skin, causing significant pain and difficulty in removal.
The Teddy Bear Cholla Cactus is considered one of the most dangerous cacti in the Sonoran Desert.
Its spines are described as being as sharp as glass and barbed like fishhooks, making it a serious threat to anyone who comes into contact with it.
The Teddy Bear Cholla, the Most Dangerous Cactus in the World
The Teddy Bear Cholla, scientifically known as Cylindropuntia bigelovii, is a cholla cactus species native to Northwestern Mexico and parts of the United States, including California, Arizona, and Nevada.
This cactus typically grows 1 to 5 feet tall with distinct trunk and nearly horizontal branches or lobes.
Despite its soft appearance, the Teddy Bear Cholla is armed with formidable spines that completely cover its stems.
These spines, covered with a detachable, paper-like sheath, can cause significant pain and difficulty in removal if embedded in the skin.
The yellow-green flowers of this cactus bloom at the tips of its stems in May and June.
A Deceptive Name
Despite its harmless-sounding name, the Teddy Bear Cholla’s spines are as sharp as glass and barbed like fishhooks. These spines can easily become embedded in the skin, causing pain and difficulty in removal.
The plant usually reproduces through a dispersal strategy of dropped or carried stems, which can attach to the fur or skin of animals and are particularly painful to remove.
Because its spines are as sharp as glass and barbed like fishhooks, making it a serious threat to anyone who comes into contact with it.
The spines are challenging to remove, and their backward-pointed barbs make extraction difficult and painful.
A Painful Encounter
The Teddy Bear Cholla’s spines can easily become embedded in the skin, causing significant pain and difficulty in removal.
Even renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough experienced firsthand the danger of this cactus when filming in Arizona, where he was spiked by its sharp needles despite wearing protective gloves.
You can watch the encounter in the video below.
Read also: Desert Plants: List, Names and Adaptations
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