Giant rat-eating plant discovered in Philippines

Giant carnivorous plant has been found in the phillipines. Oh my!.

The team of botanists, led by British experts Stewart McPherson and Alastair Robinson, found the plant on Mount Victoria in the Philippines.

"The plant is among the largest of all carnivorous plant species and produces spectacular traps which catch not only insects, but also rodents. It is remarkable that it remained undiscovered until the 21st century." Mr. McPherson said.

The BBC describes the newly discovered species as a new kind of pitcher plant. And this one is evidently "among the largest of all pitchers and is so big that it can catch rats as well as insects in its leafy trap." Which makes it a pretty mean carnivorous plant--it catches insects, rodents, and other small animals in its tubes as they tumble down into them. The plant then closes its tube, trapping the prey inside.










The giant rat-eating plant has been named after David Attenborough. Not sure what the researchers are implying by the tribute, but the plant will be called Nepenthes attenboroughii, in honor of the famous naturalist and broadcaster.

I wonder if they can suck people too, It will be tremendous. lol just kiddn.

Photo: STEWART MCPHERSON
Credits: BBC