What Eats the Saguaro Cactus?

Creatures

• From ants to wasps, insects often feed on the saguaro, especially when the white flowers bloom and the fruits take shape. Bats, bees and butterflies also consume the flower's nectar. Small animals that eat parts of the saguaro include pack rats and mice. Larger animals that roam the areas where saguaro grow may occasionally nibble on the fruit or scratch up some of the fibrous ribs. Such creatures include the black bear,white-tailed deer and coyote.

Birds

• One of the most common birds in the desert that seem to appreciate saguaro are the Gila woodpeckers. They carve out the insides of saguaro, drilling several holes in the plant's soft tissue, and may even nest within the plant. Other birds that may eat the saguaro are
  cactus wrens, warblers, elf owls, screech owls, martins and kestrels. The cactus repairs damage caused by birds by sealing up the inside of its fibers and creating scar tissue that prevents further water loss.

Humans

• The saguaro has long been a staple to some American Indian tribes. The fruit is eaten fresh or dried, and can be baked into various items. The pulp can be made into preserves or syrup, or fermented into wine. Saguaro seeds can be ground up and made into a flour or paste. The fruit can be found in southwestern markets during summers.

Saguaro National Park

• The Saguaro Wilderness area and Saguaro National Park offer visitors a chance to get up close and personal to the giant saguaro. Located both to the east and west of the city of Tuscon, Arizona, these protected areas comprise thousands of acres and hundreds of hiking trails. If you visit, be sure to check with the visitor centers for details about the park as well as local laws and rules regarding the saguaro plants.