18 Animals and Plants That Use Traps to Capture Their Food

Nature is full of cunning hunters, but some of the most fascinating are those that set traps for their prey. These clever creatures have evolved ingenious methods to catch their food without expending too much energy. From sticky webs to hidden pitfalls, the natural world is brimming with crafty predators. This list will introduce you to 18 remarkable animals that use traps to secure their next meal. Get ready to be amazed by the clever tactics employed by these resourceful hunters!

Spider Crab

The spider crab is a master of disguise. It decorates its shell with bits of seaweed, sponges, and other marine debris to blend in with its surroundings. This camouflage acts as a trap, allowing the crab to ambush unsuspecting prey that wanders too close. When a potential meal approaches, the crab quickly grabs it with its long, spindly legs. These crabs can grow to enormous sizes, with some species reaching leg spans of up to 3.8 meters, making them the largest arthropods in the world.

Antlion

Antlion larvae are expert pit-diggers. They create conical traps in sandy soil by moving backwards in circles, flicking sand out with their jaws. As insects stumble into the pit, they slide down towards the waiting antlion at the bottom. The steep, unstable sides of the pit make it nearly impossible for prey to escape. Antlions can detect the vibrations of approaching prey and will throw sand to disorient their victims and hasten their descent.

Trapdoor Spider

These spiders are the masters of the ambush. They construct burrows with camouflaged, hinged lids made of soil, vegetation, and silk. The spider waits just inside the closed trapdoor, holding it shut with its legs. When prey ventures near, the spider bursts out, snatches its meal, and quickly retreats back into its hidden lair. Some trapdoor spiders can live for over 20 years, using the same burrow throughout their entire life.

Venus Flytrap

This carnivorous plant has evolved a unique snap-trap mechanism. Its leaves are lined with sensitive trigger hairs. When an insect touches these hairs multiple times, the leaves snap shut in less than a second. The trapped insect is then slowly digested by the plant’s enzymes. Interestingly, the Venus flytrap can count – it requires two touches within 20 seconds to trigger the trap, which helps it avoid wasting energy on non-prey items like falling raindrops.

Alligator Snapping Turtle

This turtle has a worm-like appendage on its tongue that it uses as bait. It lies motionless on the river bottom with its mouth wide open, wriggling this lure to attract fish. When a curious fish investigates, the turtle’s powerful jaws snap shut with lightning speed. The alligator snapping turtle’s bite force can exceed 1,000 pounds, making it one of the strongest bites in the animal kingdom.

Net-Casting Spider

Also known as the ogre-faced spider, this arachnid creates a small, rectangular web between its front legs. It hangs upside down, stretching the net with its legs. When prey passes beneath, the spider drops the net onto it, entangling the unfortunate victim. These spiders have enormous eyes that give them excellent night vision, allowing them to hunt effectively in low-light conditions.

Glowworm

The larval stage of a type of fungus gnat, glowworms create sticky silk threads that hang from cave ceilings. They use bioluminescence to attract flying insects, which become trapped in the sticky threads. The glowworm then reels in its catch for a tasty meal. In some caves, thousands of glowworms can create a stunning display that resembles a starry night sky.

Margay

This small wild cat of Central and South America has a unique hunting strategy. It mimics the call of a baby pied tamarin monkey to lure adult tamarins close. Once the unsuspecting monkeys approach to investigate, the margay pounces on its deceived prey. This behaviour, known as acoustic mimicry, is rarely observed in wild cats and showcases the margay’s intelligence and adaptability.

Anglerfish

Deep-sea anglerfish have a bioluminescent lure that dangles in front of their mouths. This glowing appendage attracts curious prey in the dark ocean depths. When a fish approaches the light, the anglerfish’s enormous jaws quickly engulf it. Female anglerfish are much larger than males, and in some species, the tiny male permanently fuses to the female’s body, becoming a parasitic mate.

Pitcher Plant

These plants have evolved deep, pitcher-shaped leaves filled with digestive fluid. The rim of the pitcher is slippery and often scented to attract insects. Once prey falls in, downward-pointing hairs make it impossible to climb out. The insect eventually drowns and is digested by the plant. Some pitcher plants have evolved to attract and digest small mammals and even rats, showcasing the remarkable adaptability of these carnivorous plants.

Portia Spider

This clever arachnid specialises in hunting other spiders. It creates vibrations on its victim’s web that mimic trapped prey or a potential mate. When the resident spider comes to investigate, the portia spider attacks. This cunning mimicry allows it to trap spiders much larger than itself. Portia spiders have been observed to plan their attacks and solve problems, displaying a level of intelligence unusual for arachnids.

Bolas Spider

Named after a throwing weapon, this spider creates a sticky ball at the end of a silk thread. It then produces pheromones that mimic female moths, attracting male moths. As the moth flies near, the spider swings its bolas, ensnaring the deceived insect. Amazingly, different species of bolas spiders can mimic the pheromones of multiple moth species, allowing them to attract a variety of prey.

Hydromedusa

These small jellyfish-like creatures float passively in the water, trailing long, stinging tentacles. The tentacles are covered in stinging cells that paralyse small fish and plankton on contact. Once trapped, the prey is slowly drawn up to the hydromedusa’s mouth. Some hydromedusae can regenerate their bodies if damaged, even regrowing their stinging tentacles within a matter of days.

Assassin Bug

Some species of assassin bug coat themselves with sticky resin from plants. This allows them to collect debris and sand, creating effective camouflage. They lie in wait for prey to approach, then quickly strike with their sharp mouthparts. Assassin bugs inject a powerful venom that liquefies their prey’s insides, which they then drink like a smoothie.

Sundew Plant

The leaves of sundew plants are covered in tentacle-like stalks, each tipped with a drop of sticky fluid. These glistening droplets attract insects, which become trapped on the adhesive surface. The leaf then slowly curls around its prey, digesting it over several days. Some sundew species can move their tentacles remarkably quickly, taking less than a minute to begin enveloping their catch.

Wobbegong Shark

This bottom-dwelling shark has a frilly, camouflaged appearance that helps it blend in with the sea floor. It lies motionless, waiting for fish to swim close to its head. When prey is within reach, the shark’s large mouth quickly expands, sucking in the unsuspecting victim. Wobbegongs can survive out of water for an hour, allowing them to move between tide pools to find trapped prey.

Lacewing Larva

The larvae of lacewings are voracious predators known as “aphid lions”. They cover themselves with debris and the carcasses of their prey, creating a mobile hide. This camouflage allows them to approach their victims undetected before attacking with their large, sickle-shaped jaws. Lacewing larvae can consume up to 200 aphids or other small insects in a single week, making them valuable allies in pest control.

Frogfish

These masters of disguise can change colour and have skin appendages that mimic coral or seaweed. They remain motionless, blending perfectly with their surroundings. Some species even have a lure that resembles a small fish or worm, which they wiggle to attract prey before engulfing it with their huge mouths. Frogfish can swallow prey up to twice their own size due to their highly elastic stomachs and expandable bodies.

Sharing is caring!