Survival through Adaptation

Getting Food

Carnivory

Carnivory

Why would a plant eat a bug?

Some plants in nutrient-poor ecosystems adapt a surprising ability: carnivory! Carnivory means eating meat. When carnivorous plants eat animals, they gain the nitrogen that these animals have eaten. Instead of getting important nutrients from the soil, carnivorous plants get their nutrients from animals, which are usually small bugs.

Carnivorous plants grow in many ecosystems all over the world. These ecosystems all have different characteristics, but they have one thing in common: They all have little nitrogen. In this video, Shawn Lyons shares information on carnivorous plants.


Explore some carnivorous plants and compare their adaptations!