Plant Defenses

Plant Defenses

Introduction Animals have many ways to defend themselves and stay safe. Some have sharp claws, teeth, or horns. Others change color or hide in a shell. Some animals simply run away from danger. Plants can't bite, fight, or run away. However, they have many other ways to protect themselves.

Thorns, Prickles, and Spines Some plants grow thorns on their branches. Animals that try to eat those plants can get cut or scratched. Some trees have long thorns that keep animals away.

Roses and some other plants have prickles on their stems. Prickles are different from thorns. Prickles grow out of a plant's soft stem. Most often, prickles grow on small shrubs and flowering plants. Thorns usually grow on trees or large shrubs.

Some plants have spines to defend themselves. Some plants are covered in spines to protect them from being eaten. Spines look and feel like thorns, but they are different.

A cactus spine is actually a special kind of leaf. Cactus plants usually live in hot deserts. Regular leaves may dry out in the hot sun, but sunlight and heat bounce off spines.