Flesh-devouring plant called Nepenthes attenboroughii can gobble up rats whole

[CPBO 146]

Hey, MTA, we might be able to help out with your rat problem: Scientists have discovered a flesh-devouring plant that can swallow rats whole!

 

This new plant, named Nepenthes attenboroughii, eats flesh, according to the Daily Mail. The plant is a part of “pitcher” family of plants.

 

"Many pitcher plants trap not only insects, but also rodents, including mice and rats," scientist Stewart McPherson, one of the discoverers of the flesh-eating plant, told the Daily Mail.

 

The plant, which captures critters in its large, hollow “pitcher'” and then dissolves them with acids and enzymes, secretes a nectar to attract the animals. But there is nothing sweet about the nectar, as it lures the animals into the deadly “pitcher,” where they usually drown or die of exhaustion, and then are dissolved.

 

"The fluid breaks down the soft parts of the prey, and generally, only the bones of the prey remain," McPherson said.

 

The flesh-devouring plant can grow up to 4 feet long and is one of the largest carnivorous plants that has remained undiscovered, according to McPherson of Redfern Natural History Productions. He and botanists Alastair Robinson and Volker Heinrich discovered the plant while in the Philippines.

 

"All pitcher plants are carnivorous plants. They need to acquire nutrients by trapping and digesting animals (mainly insects) because they grow in really hostile areas where nutrients are scarce in the soil,” McPherson said.

 

BY Catey Hill

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

[metsfan 2]

But it would smell bad....

 

- A

[Pu3rToRoCk8947 0]

This discovery is amazing,humanity still hasn't discovered everything on this planet.This could be used for our rat problem .Other than that i wouldn't want to exactly have this in my garden either .

[metsfan 2]

Every 20 minute a species goes extinct. We are living in the biggest mass extinction in recorded history, these new finds are not cues of improvements though, only that we didn't know it was there.

 

- A

[Pu3rToRoCk8947 0]

Every 20 minute a species goes extinct. We are living in the biggest mass extinction in recorded history, these new finds are not cues of improvements though, only that we didn't know it was there.

 

- A

I agree with you,who knows somewhere out there could be cures for many forms of diseases and it is impossible to keep track.Many undiscovered species of Flora and Fauna disappear within a blink of an eye.

[MTR Admiralty 4]

I doubt these guys can survive the depths of our tunnels

[LRG 216]

Well, they are carnivorous plants, so they can survive by eating rats and insects and other creatures that may exist in the tunnels. But will it work is my main concern.

[RokuSix 3]

They must be careful. Introducing a foreign species to New York may be detrimental to our ecosystem.

[Brighton Local 702]

Can they eat people? hmmm.B)

[EE Broadway Local 17]

This plant sounds scary!