It's a Trap! A Venus Flytrap!

About this video

The Jaws of Death.

Also known as a 'snap trap', the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is one of nature’s most formidable fly catchers, tempting prey into their clutches via a generous offering of nectar.

However, despite the name, these carnivorous plants aren't fussy eaters and will clamp their jaws down on anything that stimulates the sensitive hairs on their inner surface. Those unfortunate enough to become ensnared within the plant's jaws have up to ten days of digestion to look forward to. Delicious.

The clip comes from the BBC television series 'Life', and is narrated by Sir David Attenborough. You can see more of Sir David Attenborough in our 1973 Royal Christmas Lectures on animal behaviour.

More carniverous plants

Here's another classic Attenborough clip from the BBC series 'The Private Life of Plants' featuring both the Venus flytrap and Trumpet pitchers.