Venus fly traps (scientific name Dionaea muscipula) are carnivorous plants native to the temperate wetlands on the East Coast of the United States, primarily found in North and South Carolina. They are renowned for their unique method of capturing and digesting prey, mainly insects.

The plant consists of a rosette of four to seven leaves, each equipped with trigger hairs on the inner surfaces. When an insect or other small organism touches these trigger hairs multiple times, the leaf snaps shut rapidly, trapping the prey inside. The trapping mechanism is so rapid that it can occur in a fraction of a second.

Once closed, the leaf secretes digestive enzymes to break down the prey and absorb nutrients, primarily nitrogen, phosphorus, and other minerals lacking in its boggy, acidic habitat. The process takes several days to complete, after which the trap reopens, revealing the indigestible parts of the prey, such as exoskeletons.

Venus fly traps are considered both fascinating and iconic due to their unique adaptation to nutrient-poor environments and their ability to actively capture and consume prey, making them a subject of interest for botanists, horticulturalists, and enthusiasts alike.