Did You Know? In 60 Seconds: Carnivorous Plants

Carnivorous plants are unique flowering plants that capture and digest prey, primarily insects, to obtain nutrients like nitrogen, which are scarce in their natural habitats. Despite their carnivorous nature, these plants are photosynthetic and produce their own food from sunlight. Their carnivory is an adaptation to survive in poor soil conditions, allowing them to thrive where other plants cannot.

What is the primary prey for most carnivorous plants?

• Birds

• Small mammals like rats

• Insects and other invertebrates

• Fish

What is a common misconception about carnivorous plants?

• They eat prey for energy

• They do not need sunlight

• They are not flowering plants

• They grow in rich soil

How do carnivorous plants primarily obtain their food?

• Through symbiotic relationships with fungi

• By consuming large animals

• By absorbing nutrients from rich soil

• Through photosynthesis

Why do carnivorous plants capture prey?

• To protect themselves from predators

• To store energy for winter

• To obtain nutrients lacking in the soil

• To attract pollinators

What nutrient do carnivorous plants primarily seek from their prey?

• Calcium

• Potassium

• Phosphorus

• Nitrogen