ARIZONA, USA — Sir David Attenborough got into a prickly situation while filming his new nature documentary series in Arizona's Sonoran Desert.
The 95-year-old decided to demonstrate the viciousness of the state's Teddy-bear cholla cactus by sticking his gloved hand straight into, what he considers, the desert's "most dangerous" plant.
As expected, a jumble of needles clung to Attenborough's hand and he required some assistance plucking them out.
"This is not pleasant at all," Attenborough said in a clip of "The Green Planet" series.
Attenborough said one of the spikes, which have microscopic barbs that can cling tightly onto a human hand, penetrated through his protective glove.
"It's a real physical danger," the veteran filmmaker said.
Named for its ability to latch onto other objects, the Teddy-bear cholla can be found throughout Arizona, Nevada, and California.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12 News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.
Get to know 12 News
At 12 News, we listen, we seek, we solve for all Arizonans. 12 News is the Phoenix NBC affiliate owned by TEGNA Inc.
At 12 News, It’s a Matter of Facts. Built on a legacy of trust, 12 News serves more than 4.6 million people every month on air, on our 12 News app, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and 12News.com.
We are committed to hyper-locally serving all of our communities. We advocate for our neighbors, affect positive change, and connect our broader community to solutions.
12 News is the Official Home of the Arizona Cardinals and the proud recipient of the 2018 Rocky Mountain Emmy Award for Overall Excellence.
Stay connected by downloading the 12 News app, available on Google Play and the Apple Store, and by signing up for our daily newsletter. Catch up on any stories you missed on the show on the 12 News Youtube channel. Read content curated for our Spanish-speaking audience on the Español page.
