5 Carnivorous Plants You Wouldn’t Want To Mess With

Published January 28, 2014
Updated November 20, 2017

Flytraps

Carnivorous Plants Venus Flytrap

Source: Biology Pop

When people think of carnivorous plants, Venus flytraps are usually what first come to mind. The Venus flytrap (scientific name dionae muscipula) is known for its hinged, leafy “jaw” that snaps together to trap and consume unsuspecting insects. When an insect, beetle or frog touches two or more of the plant’s “hairs”, the flytrap quickly hinges shut, trapping and then slowly digesting the organism.

Pot of Venus Flytraps

Source: FlyTrapCare

Venus Flytrap Eating Praying Mantis

Source: Gallivance

Venus flytraps are one of the few plants that can perform rapid movements. Once the flytrap has fully digested an insect, it opens up its jaws up once more, ready for the next meal. To prevent the flytrap from wasting energy on trapping inanimate objects (like raindrops), the carnivorous plants will only close after two or more hairs are touched within 20 seconds after the first movement.

Check out this video of the Venus flytrap’s impressive hunting skills:

Kiri Picone
Bay Area transplant Kiri Picone is a writer and marketer who loves bizarre news and the color purple.