From Final Fantasy Wiki

Final Fantasy VIII Enemy
Cactuar
Statistics HP (Level 1) HP (Level 100) 202 1,400 AP 20
Elemental affinities - - - Weak - - - -
Japanese	サボテンダー
Romaji	Sabotendā
Location	Centra Continent (Cactuar Island, Kashkabald Desert, Talle Mountains) Ultimecia Castle (Elevator Hall, Art Gallery
Scan	A speedy cactus of the desert. Damage always amounts to 1,000 units with its special skill, 1,000 Needles.
HP Formula	0.1(Lv)2 + 2(Lv) + 200
Card	Cactuar, Gerogero
Level 1-19 Mug Cactus Thorn x2 Common Drop Cactus Thorn x1/x2 Rare Drop Cactus Thorn x3, Lightweight x2 Draw Haste Taste Tastes okay... Abilities 1000 Needles, Escaped... Status Immunity N/A Other Information If cactuar escapes, no AP, EXP or dropped items will be left.
Level 20-29 Mug Cactus Thorn x2/x3 Common Drop Cactus Thorn x1/x2 Rare Drop Cactus Thorn x4, Lightweight x4 Draw Haste Taste Delicious!!! Abilities 1000 Needles, Escaped... Status Immunity N/A Other Information If cactuar escapes, no AP, EXP or dropped items will be left.
Level 30-100 Mug Cactus Thorn x3/x4 Common Drop Cactus Thorn x2/x3 Rare Drop Cactus Thorn x4, Jet Engine Draw Haste Taste Refreshing! Abilities 1000 Needles, Escaped... Status Immunity N/A Other Information If cactuar escapes, no AP, EXP or dropped items will be left.

Cactuar is an enemy in Final Fantasy VIII. A fast enemy that will surely escape if a character has low Speed stats. The 1000 Needles attack ignores Evade and status effects such as Protect and Defend and will inflict 1,000 HP every time. Very valuable as they grant 20 AP when killed. To kill a Cactuar with relative ease, either cast water or summon a GF. This should be enough to defeat any Cactuar at any level.

Triple Triad

Cactuar
	Level	3 (Monster Card)	Element	None
	Refine	1 refines into 1 Cactus Thorn
	Drop	Cactuar
	Card	Cactuar
	Win	N/A

Other appearances

Chocobo World

In Chocobo World, Cactuar is one of Boco's friends and assists him on his quest to find MiniMog, and later on in his quest to save Koko. He helps by finding items for them to use throughout the game.