A flytrap is a type of plant that catches and eats insects. The most famous is the Venus flytrap, which has special leaves that snap shut like a tiny jaw when an insect lands on them and touches sensitive hairs inside. Once the trap closes, the plant slowly digests its prey over several days.

Flytraps are carnivorous plants, meaning they eat meat (in this case, bugs). They evolved this unusual ability because they grow in poor soil that doesn't provide enough nutrients. By catching flies, spiders, and other small insects, they get the nitrogen and other minerals they need to survive. When an insect crawls inside the trap, attracted by sweet-smelling nectar, it triggers the trap mechanism and gets caught. The leaf edges seal together, and digestive juices break down the insect's body.

Despite their fearsome reputation, flytraps are small, delicate plants native to a tiny region of North and South Carolina. They can't hurt people or pets. Each trap can only close a few times before it dies and falls off, so the plant must use its energy wisely. Flytraps have become popular houseplants, though they require careful attention to thrive indoors.