Photo: Opuntia Bigelovii

The scientific name for Teddy Bear Cholla Cactus is Opunti bigelovii seen here in Death Valley National Park, USA.

The Teddy Bear Cholla cactus is part of the Opuntia Genus and the bigelovii species and flourishes in the desert in Death Valley National Park in California, USA. The Teddy-Bear Cholla gets its name from its appearance because from a distance the stems appear soft and fuzzy but in reality we know it is not.

The Opuntia bigelovii is covered with silvery spines that you do not want to touch as it can be extremely painful. If you walk through a patch of Opuntia bigelovii, a segment of spines will jump off the cactus and attach themselves to your leg.

The spines of the Opuntia bigelovii grow in dense clusters to about 1 inch long which protects the cactus from the desert heat and animals. This particular cactus flowers in greenish/yellow colors from February to May and fruit forms that is less than an inch in diameter.

The Opuntia bigelovii reproduces very easily as the stems fall off and covers the ground with cholla balls. ... continue below the picture...

This picture is part of the photo album "Death Valley National Park Pictures" - there are more beautiful images waiting for you.

... Often an animal will brush by one and leave pieces of the cactus laying around when it comes off their fur and new plants will begin their growth process.

Desert pack rats love the cholla balls that fall of the Opuntia Bigelovii as they gather these balls for protection outside of their burrows for a defense against any predators.

Teddy Bear Cholla, Opuntia bigelovii, Cactus, near Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley, Death Valley National Park, California, USA, North America.