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chattanova
27-01-2008, 12:08 PM
Rat-eating plant discovered in Cape York

A rare new species of plant that eats small rats has been discovered at the tip of Cape York.

Pitcher plants, otherwise known as flesh-eating plants, grow throughout Cape York but now a new, larger species that grows like a vine has been discovered.

The new species has been called "Tenax".

James Cook University ecologist Charles Clarke and a colleague found the new species at a swamp near the Jardine River, but exactly where is a secret.

"They are quite vulnerable," he said.

"They are only found in a few small areas and if we broadcast the location then there are people out there who would take advantage of that.

"There's a lot of interest in pitcher plants from Australia, even from people outside of Australia.

"And while people often associate these things with New Guinea or Borneo or Sumatra, the fact that there's more species here is actually very exciting."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/22/2143809.htm


http://img31.picoodle.com/img/img31/4/1/27/f_ntenaxm_32b993b.jpg

Nepenthes tenax

http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/nepenthes-tenax/

cloudgazer
28-01-2008, 11:29 PM
Wow, interesting.

alexc
08-07-2009, 05:33 PM
Gee, I wonder how something like that could evolve. It's far to complex to happen by chance.

mrindigo
11-07-2009, 07:00 AM
If only they could get these to grow in rat infested cities.

truth finder
11-07-2009, 07:23 AM
If only they could get these to grow in rat infested cities.

That would be a good idea grow them in cities

hagbard_celine
11-07-2009, 11:57 AM
There are rumours of bigger ones. Some that can eat people!:eek::(

charas
11-07-2009, 02:29 PM
There are rumours of bigger ones. Some that can eat people!:eek::(

I wouldn't rule it out, deep in some equatorial rainforest somewhere...

avaruus
11-07-2009, 02:33 PM
AUDREYYY!!:eek::D

lauren_almighty
11-07-2009, 03:03 PM
Its amazing that a plant can do this. I've always been in awe that there are plants that can eat flies but now rats!?

It seems anything is likely.

ownoiz
12-07-2009, 01:11 PM
If only they could get these to grow in rat infested cities.

Lettermans writers must be already busy with an accompanying joke for his nightly intro.
.

brainfreeze
12-07-2009, 01:39 PM
There are rumours of bigger ones. Some that can eat people!:eek::(

They Day of the Triffords :eek:

merlincove
12-07-2009, 01:44 PM
There are rumours of bigger ones. Some that can eat people!:eek::(

hehe, 'feed me Seymore...'

dancing_with_durga
12-07-2009, 02:58 PM
Gee, I wonder how something like that could evolve. It's far to complex to happen by chance.

Trillions of genes times billions of years times millions of environmental factors plus unquantifiable random elements...
.

avaruus
12-07-2009, 03:01 PM
Trillions of genes times billions of years times millions of environmental factors plus unquantifiable random elements...
.

good lord don't give the GMO ers any ideas now :eek:;)

dancing_with_durga
12-07-2009, 03:25 PM
good lord don't give the GMO ers any ideas now :eek:;)

Well that would be trillions of genes times billions of dollars times millions of petri dishes plus unquantifiable evil intent... :eek:
.

hagbard_celine
16-07-2009, 11:57 AM
I wouldn't rule it out, deep in some equatorial rainforest somewhere...

Anything could lurk there!:eek::confused: I'll ask a cryptobotanist!

corivss
17-07-2009, 09:18 AM
I see no evidence that such a plant ate a rat from that pic or article. If a plant did indeed devour a rat, there would have to be physical evidence in place or a picture of the consumption process to confirm such a feat

alexc
10-09-2009, 06:33 PM
Trillions of genes times billions of years times millions of environmental factors plus unquantifiable random elements...
.

And there are STILL people deluded enough to think it's all just an accident.