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The "fishhook" spines and the armored web of spines enclosing the cactus body are a defense against herbivory. Rarely a mature barrel cactus is found hollowed out by javalina but overall [[Opuntia|prickly pear]] experience much higher levels of damage from more species. Barrel cactus spines pose an extreme hazard for handling, penetrating boots and gloves. The roots are quite long but very shallow.
The plant's fruit is also good to eat and is a good snack
==Distribution==
The fishhook barrel cactus is native to [[southwestern United States]] and [[northwestern Mexico]]. More specifically, it can be found in southern [[Arizona]], southern [[New Mexico]], [[El Paso County, Texas]] and northern [[Sonora]] and [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]], Mexico.<ref name="USFS">US Forest Service. Index of Species Information. [http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/cactus/ferwis/all.html SPECIES: ''Ferocactus wislizenii''].</ref> It grows in gravelly or sandy [[soil]], more commonly on [[Alluvial fan|bajadas]] than steep [[slope]]s, at 1000 to 5300 feet (300-1600 m) elevation. It prefers full sun, and does well in hot arid climates. It is, however, [[frost]]-tolerant to 5 °F (-15 °C)<ref>Philippe Faucon. [http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Cactaceae/Ferocactus_wislizenii.html Fishhook Barrel Cactus]. Desert Tropicals.</ref>
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