The nopal plant can store water in its flat pads, in addition to its waxy surface, which allows it to retain moisture. Its shallow roots ensure it collects water quickly. The prickly spines prevent attacks from predators. They also have pores called stomata, which allow the plant to absorb carbon dioxide at night when it is cooler. These unique plants have evolved to survive!
There are many plants and animals that are endangered in Mexico. For example, the agave plant, which takes a decade to mature, is being overused to produce tequila and mezcal. The Copal tree takes an astounding 30 years to reach maturity, but are being chopped down to create alebrijes. One of the least-known endangered animals is the donkey. They arrived in this land with the Spanish and are now used in many manual labor tasks such as mezcal production and as pack animals in the countryside. Luckily, the nopal plant is fast-growing, abundant, and able to adapt and reproduce quickly. Given that this plant has become a staple dish in Mexican cuisine, many farms domesticate it to ensure that it is available. In addition to the wild nopal that one can stumble on almost anywhere, the nopal plant seems safe for now!
