At Home: Prickly little friend

This is Ella's new friend. Its a lethal little thing. Why are cacti marketed at small people with tiny fingers? The spikes are a combination of razor sharp white buds of thorns and the even more sinister red 'fishing line' hook type ones.

In essence it will bites you twice , and if it can leave a barb under your skin. Its a tough little plant too, so what its protecting I dont know. I suppose some desert animal will tap into it for water and flesh. Perhaps it has some untapped quality that we have never known about. Surly this little plant must have something about it to warrant all this armour, or maybe spikes are an endearing feature? Whatever, this little fighter is staying in Ella's room! x