What is a common environment where a cactus is typically found?

Cacti are commonly found in deserts, which are characterized by their dry conditions, high temperatures, and sparse vegetation. The adaptations of cacti, such as their thick, waxy skin that reduces water loss and their ability to store water in their fleshy tissues, make them well-suited for survival in these arid environments. Deserts often experience long periods of drought, thus plants like cacti have evolved to thrive despite these harsh conditions, utilizing specialized mechanisms to conserve water and to manage extreme temperature fluctuations.

While water bodies, forests, and grasslands have more moisture and different plant communities, they do not provide the extreme adaptations that cacti require to survive. This specificity is what clearly identifies deserts as the primary habitat for these unique plants.