# @themintchipmama on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DFBJ7-pyPS0
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/58076836-themintchipmama-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/1a3bcef83b.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-01-19T19:02:09.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** The Mint Chip Mama (@themintchipmama) — https://gondola.cc/themintchipmama

## Caption

The giant Saguaro (the largest cacti you’ll find in the US) are captivating!

They live all throughout Tucson and the Sonoran Desert region. 

Besides being freaking cool and unique each one is different. 

For all these reasons it is easy to see why they’re the natural symbol of the American Southwest.

Saguaros can grow up to 50 ft, can have up to 50 arms - aka branches - and can weigh more than 7 tons! 

They are also slow and steady growers taking up to 10 years to grow 6”. But they’re in no rush since they can live for 200 years!

IMO their most fascinating part (to me at least) is their arms - which develop between 75 and 100 years of age.

Each Saguaro has different pattern arms (like the branches of a tree). I loved the ones that snuggled all together. They look so odd. I want to know THAT Saguaro’s story!

The cacti are so large they provide shelter for little animals. Plus, their arms only flower at night and for only ONE month a year so those little pollinators get a run for their money.

I was just so obsessed with them I needed to know what was inside these gorgeous beasts. Luckily the @desertmuseum has a display!

As expected they’re mostly made up of water (between 75% - 90%!). There is also a sponge-like tissue throughout the inside to hold the water in place. Finally, they have dense woody ribs in the middle to form a skeleton which stretches the entirety of the cactus. Just amazing, right?

If you’ve seen one in person you get the obsession. If not - head over to @saguaronationalpark or the southwestern region of the United States and Mexico to check them out!

Just don’t take one home… they’re protected by the Native Plant Protection Act, and it’s illegal to remove one from a national park!

📍For more travel tips follow @themintchipmama 

#VisitTucson #TucsonActivities #ThisIsTucson #VisitArizona #WelcomeToArizona #Tucson #TucsonFood #TucsonAZ #TucsonArizona #Arizona

## Stats

- **Views:** 327
- **Likes:** 74
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 40

## Tags

visitarizona, tucsonfood, thisistucson, welcometoarizona, tucsonarizona, tucson, tucsonactivities, arizona, visittucson, tucsonaz

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