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Nature's fortress: How cacti keep water in and predators out - Lucas C. Majure

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TEDEd Animation

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If you were a jackrabbit in the desert, you’d be glad to stumble across a cactus: the flesh of these plants is a water source for many animals. Known for their spines and succulent stems, cacti of all shapes and sizes have evolved to not just survive, but thrive, in some of the harshest desert climates on Earth. So how do they do it? Lucas C. Majure shares the prickly plant’s unique adaptations.

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Spines on a cactus are modified leaves and significantly reduce the amount of leaf surface that is exposed to the sun. Why would reduction in leaf size be an advantage if you grew in a hot, dry environment? Compare leaf size in desert plants with those from wet forests to see if you can see any differences.

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Lucas C. Majure
  • Director Joseph Clark, Oh Studio
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Composer Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio
  • Sound Designer Amanda P.H. Bennett, cAMP Studio
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Content Associate Abdallah Ewis
  • Script Editor Emma Bryce

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