The Nepenthes rajah (shown above) is the largest carnivorous plant in the world. Its trap can hold up to two liters of water. Or your average tree shrew. Which is why most botanists assumed that the N. rajah ate tree shrews. (Pitcher plants usually lure unsuspecting insects or small mammals into their traps, where the creatures are slowly digested.)
But this plant has no interest in eating the shrews themselves. And the fact that it's shaped like a miniature toilet is no accident. As the photo below shows, the N. rajah and Borneo's tree shrews have a very special relationship.
That relationship was summed up by the BBC in a headline that deserves an award of some sort. Check it out here.
P.S. Those interested in carnivorous plants should definitely check out the photos here and here!
22 comments:
Muahahahahaha xD I love carnivorous plants. They are one of my few passions in life. xD (I'll have you know that that post about a year or so ago about the Wicked Plants book has since created a monster, Kirsten.)
Hmmm... the complexities of nature are amazing indeed. xD Silly scientists, don't assume things. You'll be embarrassed and amazed when you're proven wrong.
Crap, I have to read my editorial in front of the staff now. D:
Anyway, this is very interesting--I'll enjoy reading the full article when I have time to indulge. (And you owe us something cute for springing this on us without warning, I think. Hahaha.)
It's an Eco-friendly toilet!
I had a good laugh at that one XD
An eco-friendly toilet!?!? Man, that cracks me up!!!
I love carnivorous plants.
wow.... um... i have not seen anything like that before!
Ah, lovely. Does it only do tree shrews, though? If for whatever reason you were trekking through Borneo and nature calls, couldn't just...use the N. rajah? ^___^ It's better than behind a tree, right? At least the N. rajah is benefitting from it.
But what if it's carnivorous instinct kicked in and it suddenly turned on you at last minute, and decided to take out a lump of your flesh? :o that'd be shocking! Loose around Borneo with only half a bum. Imagine that =____=
A carnivourous toilet? Interesting. . .
amazing...
Reel Dancer
Harris, you are HILARIOUS. Loose around Borneo with only half a bum... what a disconcerting thought.
I know the T-shirt contest was like awhile ago, but I think that you didn't get my entry I sent it to you and my email says you got it, but you never responded and my picture isn't on here. I was wondering if something happened.
That is so cool yet weird and creepy. And anonymous: you cracked me up, i am still laughing.
Nina: I got it, and it was great! Sorry I didn't respond. I was getting a tone of emails every day, and I must have forgotten. So sorry! Do you want me to post your entry on the blog?
That's pretty awesome.
I wonder if that's where Sir John Harrington got the idea? (Maybe he should give back his patent.)
That is, at least, rather odd.
thats great!!!
oh i forgot to mention how hilarious that is!!! a toliet that eats poo. no more stinky sewers!@!!!!!!
This is cool! I want to do a report on this sometime!;)
nature is making a huge storm that is causing a full sized trampoline to roll down my block but its still pretty cool :)
Sorry to be a pest, but I couldn't help myself:
Kiki Strike-
You spelled 'ton' wrong.(you spelt it tone)
=D
:-)
;D
;)
no thats fine I was just wondering
Ew.
I hope those plants dont grow any bigger! *they might eat us humans!*
Too bad for tiny animals. --Im glad my kitten doesnt live there. XD
-Ms.CawtLover
Poison PeN:I know where it is, but there isnt much on it
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