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Beware of Tucson Killer Cactus

Posted at RealTown Report by Frances Flynn Thorsen

Aug. 25, 2007

Categorized in: Blogs

Tagged with: arizona, tuscon

I snapped this shot with my Sprint MotoQ ... and then I ran!!!! Tucson is a wonderful place ... my husband and I are almost finished with our pre-licensing education and we should have our testing complete and licenses in hand the first week of September. From a relocation standpoint it is interesting to note some of the idionsyncrasies about life in Arizona.

I was warned about scorpions, tarantulas, and rattlesnakes. I was totally unprepared, however, for the Attack Cactus that lies in wait when I approach! I have already been assaulted TWICE by the same Killer Prickly Pear Cactus that guards the front door of an unnamed Arizona Real Estate Coach!! Imagine breeding Attack Cactus!!! Whoever would have guessed!!!

In another blog installment I will offer a first aid primer for SunBirds on the delicate process of removing cactus needles from soft tissue. It is NOT fun!!!

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1. re: Beware of Tucson Killer Cactus

Written by: Mona Lee

Aug. 25, 2007

So funny! I used to walk around with needles sticking out of my legs. I just stopped doing yard work! Some of them absorb so I stopped trying to remove them. Ouch! It made me laugh and remember my first experiences with the desert. Enjoy! Mona

Edited by RealTownReport on August 25, 2007 at 10:00 am

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2. re: Beware of Tucson Killer Cactus

Written by: Bernice Ross

Aug. 25, 2007

Ouch!! A number of years ago I went on a sunset ride outside of Tucson. The trail we were on was only wide enough for one horse at a time to get through. Cactus all around the trail. Immediately to the left of me was about a 4 foot rattler curled up asleep. I turned my horse's head towards the cactus and happily took the killer cactus in my leg rather than wake the sleeping rattler. I'm surprised no one's horse saw it since it was only about a foot away from the trail. What you may not know is that prickly pear leaves make an awesome pie (No--it doesn't take like chicken--more like apple.) Tell the cactus if it doesn't mind its manners, you will be dining on it for dessert.

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3. re: Beware of Tucson Killer Cactus

Written by: Paula Bean

Sep. 16, 2007

Great stories! btw - Bernice, Rattlesnake meat is yummy, and it does taste like chicken.

It would probably taste better marinated in prickly pear cactus juice ;-) Next time you are in rattlesnake territory, take along a steel rake and a big burlap bag. As a backup, shotguns (preferably sawed off) work well too, then you don't have to tenderize the snake.

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