# Teddybear Cholla (*Cylindropuntia bigelovii*) The Teddybear Cholla is a fun cactus that looks like a fuzzy teddy bear! It has many spines that can stick to you, so be careful when you get close. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Desert - **Also known as:** Teddy Bear Cactus ![Teddybear Cholla](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cylindropuntia_bigelovii.jpg&width=800) Photo: Matthew Field - http://www.photography.mattfield.com, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cylindropuntia_bigelovii.jpg) ## Appearance The Teddybear Cholla is a tree-like cactus with dense, silvery-yellow spines that make its segments look fuzzy and soft, like a teddy bear. Its stems are chunky, light green segments, topped with small, waxy yellow-green flowers. This appearance helps it stand out from other cacti in its habitat. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Caryophyllales - **Family:** Cactaceae - **Genus:** Cylindropuntia ## Interesting facts - Detached stem segments can roll far, growing into new cacti like magic desert tumbleweeds! - Its furry look comes from thousands of sharp, barbed spines that are not soft at all! - Stepping on a segment feels like it 'jumped' onto you, thanks to its super-sharp barbs! - This amazing desert survivor can live for many decades, even over 100 years! ## Special abilities - **Jumping Segment Defense:** Teddybear Cholla can easily detach stem segments when touched, helping it defend against threats and spread to new areas. - **Spine Armor:** Teddybear Cholla has thousands of barbed spines covering its body, which protect it from hungry animals and reflect sunlight. - **Segment Sprouter:** Teddybear Cholla can root new plants from fallen stem segments, allowing it to reproduce without seeds! ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 100-300 cm - **Spread:** 100-200 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-4 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring-Summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Shelter:** [Cactus Wren](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cactus-wren) (*Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus*) — builds nests safely among its spines. - **Eaten by:** [White-throated Woodrat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-throated-woodrat) (*Neotoma albigula*) — eats fallen fruit and stem segments. - **Pollinates:** Honeybee (*Apis mellifera*) — visits its yellow flowers for nectar and pollen. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Thorny Stem](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thorny-stem): Pertaining to plants that have stems covered with sharp, pointed projections for defense. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Succulent](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/succulent): Succulent plants have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves or stems, adapted to store water in arid climates. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Don't touch the spines! They can stick to your skin and hurt. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Teddybear Cholla? Compare leaf arrangement, rosette shape, ribs, spines and flowers. Keep in mind that drought and strong sun can shift a plant's color and shape. Succulent Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Teddybear Cholla? 100-300 cm ### How wide does Teddybear Cholla spread? 100-200 cm ### How big are the flowers on Teddybear Cholla? 2-4 cm ### When does Teddybear Cholla bloom? Spring-Summer ### Is Teddybear Cholla edible? No ### Is Teddybear Cholla toxic? None ### What is Teddybear Cholla's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Boyce Thompson Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boyce-thompson-arboretum) — Arizona, US · Botanical Garden - [Sabino Canyon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sabino-canyon) — Arizona, US · Natural Landmark - [Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arizona-sonora-desert-museum) — Arizona, US · Zoo - [Desert Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/desert-botanical-garden) — Arizona, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Teddybear Cholla](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/teddybear-cholla) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Teddybear Cholla: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/teddybear-cholla)