Carnivorous Plant Adaptations

Have you ever heard of a plant that eats meat? Over millions of years these meat-eating plants evolved and developed

Some of their adaptations include;
• Cunning tricks to lure prey
• Deadly traps to prevent escape
• The ability to liquify and absorb the bodies of their victims

Explore the fascinating features of these plants that trap animals from their environment for food. Investigate the different types of plant traps and their adaptations. Discover where they grow and examples of their prey.

Curriculum Links

Stage 3 Science and Technology

Living world

Plans and conducts scientific investigations to answer testable questions, and collects and summarises data to communicate conclusions - ST3-1WS-S
Examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things - ST3-4LW-S

Inquiry question

How do the structural and behavioural features of carnivorous plants support survival?

Red and green carnivorous plant with jaw like trapping mechanism, called a snap trap. An orange beetle with black dots is sitting on it.

Trapping mechanisms at a glance

Carnivorous plants use five main types of trapping mechanisms to trap their unsuspecting prey

Red and green carnivorous snap trap plants, looking like a field of beaks..

Snap traps use electricity and hydraulics to prepare and launch their attack

A carnivorous red and green pitfall trap plant.

Cunning pitfall-traps are perfectly evolved to defeat their light-footed insect prey

Green carnivorous plant with sticky shiny drops on red spiny leaves leaves.

Sparkling in the sunlight, sticky traps hide their deadly weapons in full sight

A green grey carnivorous plant with suction bladders.

Speed and strength, suction traps unleash forces of astounding power

Carnivorous cobra lily plant with light trapping mechanism.

Once past the welcoming entrance of the trap, windows of light offer the promise of escape

A drawing of a man with flowers growing out of his head. Holding the chin a thinking posture. Text says: Branch Out

Podcast episode: Plants with Bite

Go on an audio adventure and discover the sticky, sneaky and freaky world of carnivorous plants in this killer episode of our Branch Out podcast.

A fly trapped in a carnivorous plant.

Plants with Bite

Carnivorous plant expert, Greg Bourke, explains the plants clever structural adaptations

Boy looking into a microscope.

Hands-on programs at the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney

Give your students an immersive, nature-based learning experience