- Why do carnivores catch prey?
- This is how the digestion of carnivorous plants works
- How long does the digestion process take?
- Can carnivores digest all insects?
- Digestion works with secretions
Carnivorous plants or carnivores are mainly raised because of their interesting trapping techniques. They catch prey, which they decompose through secretions to obtain nutrients. Worth knowing about the digestion of carnivorous plants.
If the insect is too large, the carnivorous plant will have trouble digesting it
Why do carnivores catch prey?
These plants grow in places where nutrients are scarce. By catching prey, they can ensure their nutritional supply.
This is how the digestion of carnivorous plants works
Carnivorous plants use a variety of methods to capture prey. Sundew and butterwort form catching leaves covered with a sticky substance. Insects stick to it. Pitcher plants and pitcher plants use traps into which the prey falls. The Venus Flytrap closes its trap and traps the animal.
How digestion works exactly has not been scientifically clarified. What is certain, however, is that after catching a prey, the plants release secretions that dissolve the insects and trigger the nutrients.
Only the indigestible chitin shell and the legs remain. In nature, they are blown away by the wind when the trap opens again.
How long does the digestion process take?
The length of the digestion process depends on the size of the prey. It can last from three to four days to ten days.
Can carnivores digest all insects?
In the traps and with the leaves, such animals are caught that are not too large. Basically all insects could be digested, like:
- fruit flies
- mosquitoes
- ants
- To fly
- wasps
Prey such as flies and wasps are too large for small carnivorous plant species. They can only be digested in the calyces of pitcher plants or the pitchers of pitcher plants.
Digestion works with secretions
If the carnivorous plant cannot release secretions, digestion will not take place. The traps or leaves then die off.
This can be seen very well with the pitcher plant. The digestive secretion is in the pitchers. If this is accidentally poured out, the pots dry out. Filling it with water doesn't help either.
tips
If possible, do not feed carnivorous plants. There is a great risk that you are doing too much of a good thing and also feeding the wrong things. Carnivores can only digest live prey that is not too large.