Well, for one it's a euphorbia, not a cactus. Perhaps E. Horrida, or a close relative. It aught to survive, or at least the offsets will. The new growth at the top is promising.

It also looks like it has a LOT of ripe seed pods, collect the seeds from them and plant them to get more plants. Fresh euphorbia seed has a nearly 100% germination rate for me, and euphorb plantlets are much larger and easier to grow than cacti seedlings. Just plant them 1/4" deep in a shallow dish or small pots, water and put them somewhere warm (like the top of the fridge) until they germinate (as short as 2 days). I cover mine with plastic wrap until they pop up, unlike cacti they grow multi-inch roots within days so they can be uncovered once they pop up. Each pod should have 3 seeds the size of BBs. Wash your hands after handling euphorbias because their sap is a skin irritant. I use the same precautions as I do when handling hot peppers.

oh, thanks! I had no idea that those were seed pods! As far as I knew, it had never had flowers on it. I thought those might have been buds or something. All my other succulents are inside in a southern window and this one was outside as an experiment of mine.

thanks for the ID too, I hadn't expected that considering it was just a cheapo one from HD or somewhere of the like.

~Audrey