Carnivorous plants primarily eat insects, though some larger species can digest reptiles and small mammals. They are found in nutrient-poor environments, such as bogs and marshes, and use their prey to supplement the nutrients they cannot obtain from the soil.
There are around 630 species of carnivorous plants, and they use a variety of traps to capture their prey. Venus flytraps have hinged lobes that snap shut when an insect touches them. Pitcher plants have deep cups that contain a sweet liquid that attracts insects. Once an insect falls in, it becomes trapped and is slowly digested by the plant. Sundews have sticky tentacles that trap insects. The tentacles then move to enfold the insect, and enzymes are released to begin digestion.
