SMRTR Science & EngineeringJun 11, 2026The Guardian

Scientists reveal surprising mechanism behind Venus flytrap’s rapid snap

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Scientists have finally solved a mystery that stumped Charles Darwin — how the Venus flytrap snaps shut so fast. When a bug lands, an electrical signal triggers the leaf's outer cells to soften, flipping the trap closed within one second, similar to a rubber dome-shaped popper toy flipping inside out.

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