photographed 2 days ago (2017-07-23) I don't know exactly what cactus this is - maybe a kind of Echinocereus. I grew them from seed. The package said they would flower soon - in fact they didn't over years.

seems to be a hit with the snails!

On Tue, 25 Jul 2017 15:50:44 +0100, Willi_9
wrote:

photographed 2 days ago (2017-07-23)

There must also have been a "spiky climb-up". How did the critter get
up there in the first place and why?

Thanks for posting.

--
Bob
St Francis would have done better to preach to the cats

Not this one. Usually the snails nibble at the top where the skin is fresh and soft. But this kind is very well protected by the spikes. The snail crept down frustrated.

They love the parts where the flesh of the cacti is soft and fresh at upper parts. But this cactus had been quite a disappointment because of the clustered hard spikes in the middle. The snail climbed down hungry (and ended up at a snail's throw in the nearby meadow after the picture )

How did the snail climb up there??

Well, snails can even crawl along the sharp edges of razor blades. But maybe she found a path on the trunk of the cactus where she could squeeze her through between the spikes.
Thanks for loking! (W)

I hope this is helpful. (W)

Loving the picture!! Awesome timing this would look awesome on time-lapse

I doubt that my patience was intense enough for this task. Especially as snails prefer wet weather for physical activity

But different shots at different times are always possible. I found this moth today morning at almost the same spot of the cactus.

Sorry, I seem to have pushed a wrong button.(W)