Cactus spines: more than just a bloody nuisance 

This video is all about the incredible cactus spine -- an organ that serves not only as a form of protection, but has evolved to enable these amazing plants to live in some of the most inhospitable regions of Earth. I examine several different cacti species, including Browningia hertlingiana, Pachycereus pringlei, Copiapoa gigantea, Oreocereus celsianus and the jumping cholla, Cylindropuntia fulgida and the unique evolutionary advantages afforded to them by their spines.
Creative Commons details:
Cylindropuntia fulgida (Engelm.) F.M.Knuth
observed in United States of America
by Corey Taratuta (licensed under creativecommons...)
Cylindropuntia fulgida (Engelm.) F.M.Knuth
observed in United States of America
by Lon&Queta (licensed under creativecommons...)
Cylindropuntia fulgida (Engelm.) F.M.Knuth
observed in United States of America
by mmhart56789 (licensed under creativecommons...)
Oreocereus celsianus (Lem. ex Salm-Dyck) Riccob.
observed in Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
by Martin Lowry (licensed under creativecommons...)
Pachycereus pringlei (S.Watson) Britton & Rose
observed in Mexico
by Cristian A. D. Meling L. (licensed under creativecommons...)
Pachycereus pringlei (S.Watson) Britton & Rose
observed in Mexico
by Kyle Brine (licensed under creativecommons...)
Pachycereus pringlei (S.Watson) Britton & Rose
observed in Mexico
by kiksalinas-anapri (licensed under creativecommons...)
Copiapoa gigantea Backeb.
observed in Chile
by Daniel Gomez-Lobo F. (licensed under creativecommons...)
Copiapoa gigantea Backeb.
observed in Chile
by “Juan de los Zorros” (licensed under creativecommons...)
Copiapoa gigantea Backeb.
observed in Chile
by Jan Doležal (licensed under creativecommons...)