Killer Pitcher Plant Devours Rodents

Posted on 18. Aug, 2009 by Tracey in News

A carnivorous pitcher plant reminiscent of the little shop of horrors has been discovered by botanists in the Philippines. The giant plant trap can catch insects and small rodents in its pitcher shaped sack. The slippery slides prevent the prey from escaping and the acidic digestive juices breakdown the rats flesh leaving only the bones.

Nepenthes attenboroughii

The rat catching lime green pitcher plant has been named after Sir David Attenborough. It is called ‘Nepenthes attenboroughii’. (Photo courtesy of WikiMedia Commons)

Carnivorous Plants
A carnivorous plant is one that must attract, kill and destroy the prey by digestion.

4 Ways Carnivorous Plants catch their prey

Snap closing strong leaves like The Venus Fly Trap. Once the prey walks over or near the hairs, this is the trigger for the trap to close.
Bladder traps, these plants suck the prey in which get stuck in a vacuum.
Pitcher plants lure the prey in with promise of nectar, the prey falls in unable to escape from the acidic liquid. Sarracenia is the most popular as it is very hardy.
Fly Paper glue. These plants use sticky glue to hold their prey once they have caught it.

A big thanks to the stunning photographs courtesy of CarnivorousPlants.co.uk

Dionaea - Royal Red

More on Carnivorous Plants

Carnivorous Plants UK – Brilliant photography of these amazing plants,
Little Shop of Horrors – UK carnivorous plant nursery, Devon. Gold medal winners at the Chelsea Flower Show.
International Carnivorous Plant Society.