# One of the downsides to living in the desert **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 9, 2019, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740 "2019-05-09T19:05:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/1 "2019-05-09T19:05:11Z")
Every freaking plant has thorns! [Look what I pulled out the my shoe!](https://d2aztkdj0ezvrk.cloudfront.net/items/3L2l0a3v3b2J3Q3H2v2m/IMG_6316.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/2 "2019-05-09T19:19:00Z")
When I clicked the link… [indent] This website has been reported as unsafe Hosted by [d2aztkdj0ezvrk.cloudfront.net](http://d2aztkdj0ezvrk.cloudfront.net) We recommend that you do not continue to this website. It has been reported to Microsoft for containing threats to your computer that might reveal personal or financial information. Back to safety More information  Windows Defender SmartScreen [/indent] ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/3 "2019-05-09T19:20:52Z")
Ouch. I hope you had thick soles. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/4 "2019-05-09T19:23:33Z")
When I lived in the desert, I had to watch out for [goatheads](https://forums.mtbr.com/attachments/general-discussion/538890d1272255494-goat-head-thorns-dealing-natures-tire-spikes-goat_head_thorns.jpg). The spines were long enough to go through my flip-flops. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/5 "2019-05-09T19:26:44Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > When I clicked the link… > > [indent] > This website has been reported as unsafe > Hosted by [d2aztkdj0ezvrk.cloudfront.net](http://d2aztkdj0ezvrk.cloudfront.net) > > We recommend that you do not continue to this website. It has been reported to Microsoft for containing threats to your computer that might reveal personal or financial information. > Back to safety > More information  > Windows Defender SmartScreen [/indent] Stupid Internet! [Try this.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/11822576@N08/47023624314/in/dateposted-public/) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/6 "2019-05-09T19:30:11Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Stupid Internet! > [Try this.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/11822576@N08/47023624314/in/dateposted-public/) 3/4-inch spine! :eek: That has the goathead beaten. (But the goatheads like to hide where you’re sure to step on them.) ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/7 "2019-05-09T19:30:51Z")
goatheards …foxtails … … bamboo that wasn’t cut down all the way so it leaves small pointy sticks in the ground … ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/8 "2019-05-09T19:32:21Z")
No mosquitoes. It’s a fair trade. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/9 "2019-05-09T19:45:18Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > No mosquitoes. It’s a fair trade. Black widows. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/10 "2019-05-09T19:47:34Z")
ehh we get them but not for long …we had a rainy winter and its not boiling hot yet so they’re here but hopefully not for long that pic looks like a cut-down rosebush tho … ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/11 "2019-05-09T19:56:37Z")
oh and tarantulas … scorpions, spiny cactus… Joshua trees …not to mention poisonous reptiles … it can be mini Australia here sometimes … ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/12 "2019-05-09T20:02:21Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > ehh we get them but not for long …we had a rainy winter and its not boiling hot yet so they’re here but hopefully not for long > > that pic looks like a cut-down rosebush tho … No, I think it’s from an [Ocotillo](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Ocotillo_thorns.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/13 "2019-05-09T20:04:22Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > When I lived in the desert, I had to watch out for [goatheads](https://forums.mtbr.com/attachments/general-discussion/538890d1272255494-goat-head-thorns-dealing-natures-tire-spikes-goat_head_thorns.jpg). The spines were long enough to go through my flip-flops. Those aren’t even fair. They look like they were _designed_ purely to sit on the floor, spikes up. Anyway, I’m from the UK and we’ve got…errrr…errrr…[nettles?](https://www.google.com/search?q=nettles&rlz=1CASHAN_enGB827&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiJh8r4no_iAhUEPq0KHR8vBCwQ_AUIDigB&biw=1366&bih=665#imgrc=ULaBp4zJfEkgkM:) they are a bit tingly? OK, I got nothing. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/14 "2019-05-09T20:09:39Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Those aren’t even fair. They look like they were _designed_ purely to sit on the floor, spikes up. > > Anyway, I’m from the UK and we’ve got…errrr…errrr…[nettles?](https://www.google.com/search?q=nettles&rlz=1CASHAN_enGB827&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiJh8r4no_iAhUEPq0KHR8vBCwQ_AUIDigB&biw=1366&bih=665#imgrc=ULaBp4zJfEkgkM:) they are a bit tingly? > > OK, I got nothing. Ah, goats heads - nature’s [caltrops](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caltrop)! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/15 "2019-05-09T20:16:54Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Ah, goats heads - nature’s [caltrops](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caltrop)! > **[Tribulus terrestris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribulus_terrestris)** > > Tribulus terrestris is an annual plant in the caltrop family (Zygophyllaceae) widely distributed around the world. It is adapted to thrive in dry climate locations in which few other plants can survive. > It is native to warm temperate and tropical regions in southern Eurasia and Africa. It has been unintentionally introduced to North America and Australia. An aggressive and hardy invasive species, T. terrestris is widely known as a noxious weed because of its small woody fruit – the bur – hav... ‘_Tribulus terrestris_…is an annual plant in the **caltrop family** …’ ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/16 "2019-05-09T20:42:40Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > No, I think it’s from an [Ocotillo](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Ocotillo_thorns.jpg). ok yeah ive seen those out in the boonies … aka 30 ft from town lol ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/17 "2019-05-09T20:48:16Z")
Dogs that live in the desert have to learn real quick to avoid those spiky plants. I’ve witnessed two separate incidents at Joshua Tree’s Cholla Garden where people let their dog out of the car without a leash. The result was not a happy one for the poor pooches. I got some glochids in my lower leg once—there’s still a pronounced red spot there after 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/18 "2019-05-09T21:25:44Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > I’ve witnessed two separate incidents at Joshua Tree’s Cholla Garden Came here specifically to mention the Cholla. Evil even by cactus standards. ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/19 "2019-05-09T21:55:55Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Black widows. This, we had a nest in the corner of our garage:eek: ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740/20 "2019-05-09T22:09:33Z")
I present to you the [honey locust](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey_locust), one reason why my swampy childhood home should never be anyone’s stomping grounds. The [thorns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HoneyLocustThorn.JPG) grow in clusters all over the tree’s trunk and branches and may reach as much as 8 inches long (though they tend to split into barbs before they get much over 4 inches). The mature thorns can puncture a tire (to say nothing of a shoe and foot). When clusters break off, there’s a fair chance they’ll do the caltrop thing, especially if they land in leaf litter, but it’s not as likely as with some of the other examples here. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-downsides-to-living-in-the-desert/833740.md?page=2)