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Plenty of things live amongst cacti that will stick or bite you. While many worry about snakes and spiky plants harming them, they’re unaware of a legendary creature roaming about.
If you aren’t careful, the Cactus Cat can cause you serious trouble.
Today, we’re talking about this urban legend so you can stay aware and safe during your desert adventures. This is a story best told with others around a campfire.
So what is the Cactus Cat, and should you worry?
What Is the Cactus Cat?
The Cactus Cat is a mythological creature that inhabits deserts. Believers claim it’s nocturnal and possesses supernatural abilities, such as exceptional agility, sharp claws, and advanced stealth. These qualities allow it to move swiftly through the rugged landscape while staying undetected.
Sightings of the Cactus Cat date back to the 1800s. Cowboys, frontiersmen, and other tough guys reported seeing the creature wandering through the desert.
They claimed it survived the harsh and dry environment by feasting on sap from the millions of cacti found in the desert.
Many of these cowboys and frontiersmen reported that the beast would also eat fermented juices from plants.
It would then become intoxicated from the juices and howl late into the night. From time to time, reports of attacks on humans would circulate.
Where Does the Cactus Cat Live?
Believers claim the Cactus Cat lives in the American Southwest. Most sightings have occurred in Arizona, California, and New Mexico and popular sightings have taken place in the Sonoran Desert, the Chihuahuan Desert, and the Mojave Deser.
However, the creature could thrive in any arid sandy, rugged landscape with plenty of cacti.
What Does the Cactus Cat Look Like?
The Cactus Cat is a feline-like creature. Descriptions vary, but some common characteristics exist.
Almost all witnesses claim it’s slightly larger than a domestic cat. Some report it as having a panther-like size and stature, but most claim it resembles a wildcat.
Individuals claim its body is full of spikes, quills, or sharp bristles. These help it to camouflage into the scenery and blend in amongst cacti. Its muscular limbs magnify its elusive characteristics, allowing it to move quickly and quietly.
The head of this beast resembles a feline, including sharp, piercing eyes. Many even claim that its eyes glow in the dark. It has a long and whip-like tail, which helps to increase its balance and agility for navigating rough and dangerous terrains.
How Can You Avoid the Cactus Cat?
If you want to avoid encountering the Cactus Cat, the best thing you can do is stay alert.
Be aware of your surroundings. Always be on the lookout for any signs or indications of potential dangers. Listen for unusual sounds or movements, especially at night.
You should also remain aware and not explore these environments on your own.
Traveling in groups can help give you an advantage should you encounter dangerous wildlife, whether it’s a Cactus Cat or not. When possible, travel in groups to worry less about encounters.
Lastly, it’s essential to educate yourself on the potential dangers and how to respond should you encounter this feline. Avoid escalating the situation by keeping your distance and backing away slowly.
Don’t make any sudden movements, and avoid running. You don’t want to trigger the hunting or predatory instincts of the animal.
Other Desert Dangers
Whether you experience the Cactus Cat or not, the desert can be dangerous. Let’s take a look at some other desert dangers. If you want an incredible adventure, avoid these dangers at all costs.
Venomous Snakes
Venomous snakes, particularly rattlesnakes, remain one of the biggest fears for many explorers in the desert. The CDC estimates that between 7,000 and 8,000 people get bitten each year by snakes. Fortunately, only a handful of individuals die due to venomous snakes.
When navigating the desert, it’s essential to watch for these snakes. They’ll often be most active during the warmer months, especially in summer. Avoid putting your hands or feet anywhere that you can’t see. You never know where they may be hiding.
Keep in Mind: You never want to find yourself in a dangerous situation without being prepared! Before your next camping trip, make sure you own these survival tools
Scorpions
Scorpions are another dangerous creature in the desert. These pesky critters belong to the arachnid family and have a venomous stinger on the tip of their tails. They use their stinger to defend themselves from attacks.
The Mayo Clinic estimates nearly a million scorpion stings happen each year. Unfortunately, while most of these require minimal medical attention, they can be severe. Deaths rarely occur, mostly in areas with limited access to medical care.
To avoid this danger, make sure you shake out your clothes and shoes before wearing them. Scorpions will often turn these items into temporary shelters. Be careful when lifting rocks, logs, and other objects where they may be hiding.
Spiders
Most spider species are relatively harmless to humans. However, the desert has the Black Widow and Brown Recluse, two of North America’s most dangerous spider species. According to the CDC, approximately 2,800 cases of Black Widow bites happen each year.
Again, fatalities are extremely rare, but it can be a painful process. Avoid putting your hands in dark crevices or piles of debris. If you suspect a Black Widow, Brown Recluse, or another dangerous spider bite, seek medical attention immediately.
Mountain Lions
Whether you prefer to call them mountain lions, pumas, or cougars, they all refer to the same animal. They quietly roam through the deserts and mountainous areas, looking for their next meal. Sightings and encounters with these creatures happen infrequently, but they do occur.
Your best chance to avoid a mountain lion is to travel in groups and make noise. Generally, mountain lions try their best to keep their distance from humans. They’ll go out of their way to avoid most encounters if they hear noises. Unfortunately, things don’t always go as planned.
If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run. This can prove a fatal mistake as it could ignite predatory instincts within the animal. They will likely be faster and more agile than you and have you in their paws in seconds.
Back away slowly, but be ready to defend yourself if needed. If the cat doesn’t back down, present yourself as big as possible. If you’re in a group, spread out to confuse the animal and encourage them to retreat. Make sure you report the encounter to local wildlife officials as soon as possible.
Extreme Temperatures
It’s not uncommon for temperatures in the desert to reach triple digits, especially in the summer. Avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day. Heat stroke and other severe conditions can occur before you know it.
Prepare for extreme temperatures by dressing appropriately, wearing sunscreen, and having a wide-brimmed hat. Take breaks as necessary, and avoid pushing yourself too hard.
Additionally, you can’t forget that in the desert, nighttime temperatures vary greatly. Nighttime temperatures in the desert can get very chilly. Make sure you pack plenty of clothes to help keep you warm and prevent hypothermia. If you play your cards right, you can stay comfortable and have an epic experience.
Keep in Mind: Do you want to bring your kitty along with you on your RV adventures? Check out these tips for how to RV with cats!
Dehydration
Dehydration remains another serious concern due to the extreme temperatures. Carry plenty of water for everyone in your group during your adventure. However, carrying it is not enough; you must drink it too.
This situation can get out of hand very quickly, especially when combining excessive heat with physical activity. If you wait until you’re thirsty to start drinking, it’s too late. Sip on your water throughout your adventure to continually feed your body.
The Mayo Clinic recommends the average person drink between 11.5 to 15.5 cups of water per day. However, this number will increase if you spend time in extreme temperatures.
Flash Floods
One of the last dangers many visitors think about is flash floods. However, these do occur, and the danger is very real.
The dry, rocky desert grounds aren’t good at absorbing the water from rain and other conditions. As a result, sudden water surges can rip through valleys and other areas incredibly fast.
These events are powerful and extremely dangerous. Stay aware of the weather if your adventures take you through potential flood risks. Remember, it doesn’t have to rain where you are for a flood to occur. All it has to do is rain upstream, and the flood waters will flow to your location.
Protect Yourself from the Cactus Cat
Whether you’ll encounter the Cactus Cat or not is anyone’s guess. However, we wouldn’t encourage you to hold your breath on seeing one. Take proper precautions to protect yourself and others in your group while exploring the desert.
Don’t let the Cactus Cat or another dangerous situation ruin the experience. Knowing the dangers can help you devise a plan to maximize safety.
Have you ever encountered the Cactus Cat?
