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>
