Like other carnivorous plants, the pitcher plant (Nepenthes rajah) traps insects for a meal. But what sets this species apart from the more famous Venus flytrap?

It also occasionally snares vertebrates, including small mammals and lizards! Its sizable pitcher, a modified leaf, can contain up to 1 liter (33.8 ounces) of fluid, which is often enough to drown small critters that happen to fall in. Powerful digestive acids are then released to help the plant break down and absorb its prey. Insects are attracted to the pitcher plant because of its scent, while small animals such as shrews or geckos may mistakenly seek a drink or shelter in the pitcher.

Photo: JeremiahsCPs, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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