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The wild world of carnivorous plants - Kenny Coogan

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Around the world there are more than 600 plant species that supplement a regular diet of sunlight, water and soil with insects, frogs and even rats. Flies, tadpoles and beetles fall prey to the remarkable, predatory antics of carnivorous plants. What exactly are carnivorous plants and how do they trap their prey? Kenny Coogan dives into the world of these flesh-eating tricksters. 


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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Kenny Coogan
  • Director Lisa LaBracio
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Stop Motion Animator Kaho Yoshida
  • Concept Designer Kaho Yoshida
  • Compositor Lisa LaBracio
  • Sound Designer Weston Fonger
  • Composer Jarrett Farkas
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Script Editor Emma Bryce
  • Fact-Checker Joseph Isaac
Additional Resources for you to Explore
The way carnivorous plants lure, trap and digest their prey and how those adaptations evolved is simply amazing. With over 600 species around the world, it is surprising that their trapping mechanisms can be narrowed down to just a few methods including; pitfall, snap, trapdoor, sticky and maze.

To learn more about evolution visit the Teacher Institute of Evolutionary Science who provides free resources to learn more about phylogeny and how organisms have changed over the years.

Once people learn about carnivorous plants, they often want to raise them in their backyards. By purchasing plants from reputable nurseries, you can ensure that these valuable plants are not being poached from the wild, as many species are now threatened or endangered due to pilfering and habitat loss. The International Carnivorous Plant Society is a decades old organization of horticulturist, scientists and educators. The non-profit organization hosts conferences, publishes scientific-rich newsletters, and donates to conservation efforts relating to carnivorous plants.

Kenny Coogan, the educator of this TED-Ed animation, has grown and sold carnivorous plants for several years. Visit his website to learn more about caring for carnivorous plants in your home.

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Kenny Coogan
  • Director Lisa LaBracio
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Stop Motion Animator Kaho Yoshida
  • Concept Designer Kaho Yoshida
  • Compositor Lisa LaBracio
  • Sound Designer Weston Fonger
  • Composer Jarrett Farkas
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Script Editor Emma Bryce
  • Fact-Checker Joseph Isaac

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