CLIP 66

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How cacti survive in the dry desert

How cacti survive in the dry desert
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Key Info
  • How cacti survive in the dry desert
  • Duration: 02:07
  • A look at how cacti are able to survive and grow in the harsh, dry desert environment. The spines on a cactus help to protect it from humans and animals. Its roots are spread out to collect water when it does rain and it stores water in its body for future use. An expert explains how a cactus can survive for years between rain storms by living off the water it stores. He shows that a cactus which has been dead for eight months still contains water in its flesh.
  • Subject:

    Science

       Topic:

    Living Things in their Environments: Adaptation

  • Keywords: cacti, water, storage, skin, roots, desert, rain, flesh, wood, Darwin
Ideas for use in class
  • Use this clip to reinforce the concept that some types of plants are able to survive long dry periods by storing water. These plants feature in the animated 'Just so Darwin' story, Clip 6241.
Background details
  • Clip language : English
  • Aspect ratio : 16x9
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