The Scarlet Hedgehog cactus can be found in arid rocky areas
The scarlet hedgehog cactus or claret cup cactus is found throughout Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado, primarily in the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts. These plants are found in arid and rocky areas, and while they thrive in full sun, I have seen many growing under the dense canopies of ashe juniper in the Texas hill country.
The chukar is an upland game bird that belongs to the pheasant family, Phasianidae. It is commonly known as the chukar partridge, and its scientific name is Alectoris chukar. It was introduced to Hawaii from Asia. Its native range includes: Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Kurdistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, India, and Nepal. It has a slight presence on the Sinai Peninsula. The chukar is commonly found in rocky open hillsides that have grasses or scattered scrubs. It can be found at all altitudes, but it is typically found from 6,600 feet to 13,100 feet. They are only found in dry, low-humidity locations.
If you are trying to distinguish this bird from the rock partridge, Philby’s partridge, and Przevalski’s partridge, there are a few characteristics to look out for. The chukar has distinctive black and white bars on its sides and a black band that goes from its forehead across the eyes down the back of the head and under its throat to form a necklace. The throat is white, and the rest of the body is a light brown mixed with grey. It has a coral-colored bill, and pinkish legs.
I took this photo while taking a break on a long hike in Big Bend Ranch State Park, the rugged and nearly forgotten sister to Big Bend National Park that is somehow even harder to get to. My mission on this trip was to collect prickly pear cactus pads to help research the potential impacts of the invasive cactoblastis moth set to wreak havoc on North American cactus species. The entire trip I was overwhelmed with the diversity, beauty, and tenacity of these spiny plants. Little did I know there was an inch long lechugilla spine in my calf the entire trip, but I would find that out later.
They are covered in spines that protect it from herbivores
Did you know?
- The Scarlet hedgehog cactus is in the Cactaceae family, which is a group of about 350 species.
- They commonly found as houseplants, but in the wild they can be found tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions.
- The name hedgehog refers to the spiney center, which is edible in many hedgehog cacti species.
- Did you know prickly pear comes in purple? Check out Opuntia phaeacantha in the Chihuahuan desert.
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