June 12, 2026 3:44 PM
Scientists unlock the secret behind the Venus flytrap’s snap
Pity the poor fly that lands on a Venus flytrap. When the insect touches hair-like structures on this remarkable carnivorous plant, its trap snaps shut, dooming the victim to be digested over several days in secreted enzymes. Scientists have now found the physical mechanism behind this snapping action. Researchers said experiments showed that the Venus flytrap's closure is initiated by a rapid softening of the cell walls in the outer layer of the plant's trap, which is a highly modified ...