Hey kids, we're doing something fun. What if you had the chance to be on the podcast? Here's what we're gonna do over the next month. Draw a picture of your favorite animal from any one of our episodes. Have your mom or dad send it to us at nature lovingkidspodcast at gmail.com. We will pick a winner and then you will get to record The World Is Full of Wild Wonders and be on the podcast. So today's episode is July 29th. You have until August 30th to get your submissions in. So start drawing, send us those pictures, and who knows, you could be our next winner.
SPEAKER_03This is a big chance, kids, so do your best. We will pick four winners. It's going to be so fun.
SPEAKER_00What if I told you there's a plant that can count, move faster than you can blink, and catch its own dinner? Today we're discovering one of the most incredible plants God ever created, the Venus Fly Trap. I'm your host, Garrett Maroon, and I'm here with my three favorite plant explorers. But before you meet them, let me say a huge thank you. Thank you. To Zion from Canada for giving us the topic of this week's episode, and a huge happy birthday to Elias in Taylor, Michigan, and Alistair in Garden City, Idaho. If you want to say hi to the Nature Loving Kids, suggest a topic, or get a birthday shout out, email us at Nature LovingKidsPodcast at gmail.com. Now, introducing my three favorite plant explorers.
SPEAKER_03Hi, I'm Hattie, and I didn't even know plants could move. And I'm Dylan, and I hope it doesn't eat people. And I'm Ivy, and I'm the plantiest storyteller of all.
SPEAKER_00You certainly are. Let's dive in. The Venus flytrap is one of the few plants in the world that catches insects for food.
SPEAKER_03Where do they live? Believe it or not, they naturally grow in only a tiny part of the world. They're mostly found in North and South Carolina in the United States. Really? I thought they lived in the jungle.
SPEAKER_00Most people think that, but they actually grow in sunny, swampy wetlands.
SPEAKER_03You want to hear something amazing? Yaa. The trap can snap shut in about one tenth of a second. That's really fast.
SPEAKER_00It sure is. Most plants move so slowly we can't even see it. But a Venus flytrap can close almost instantly.
SPEAKER_03It's like a tiny green bear trap.
SPEAKER_00Now here's my favorite fact.
SPEAKER_03Scientists have discovered that Venus flytraps seem to count. Plants can count.
SPEAKER_00Not like we do. Inside each trap are tiny trigger hairs. If one hair gets bumped, nothing happens. But if two hairs are touched within about 20 seconds, the trap closes.
SPEAKER_03Why two hairs?
SPEAKER_00Because one bump could just be a raindrop. Two touches usually mean a bug is really there. It's a clever way to avoid wasting energy.
SPEAKER_03That's incredible.
SPEAKER_00Alright, it's plant joke time. What do you have for us, Ivy Lane?
SPEAKER_02What did the Venus fly say to the other Venus fly? What? Venus beans!
SPEAKER_03What did Luke Skywalker say after planting a tree? What? May the forest be with you. Hey parents, did you know my dad is a real estate agent and leads one of the largest Christian agent communities in the world? If you ever know someone wanting to buy or sell a home and wishing they could meet a Christian agent anywhere in the world, my dad can help. Just email us at Nature LovingKidspodcast at gmail.com and he'd be happy to get you in touch. Now back to the show. Here's another surprise. Venus flytraps still make food from sunlight just like other plants. Then why eat bugs? Eww.
SPEAKER_00Because the soil where they grow doesn't have many nutrients. So God designed them to get extra nutrients like nitrogen from insects. The bugs are like vitamins, not their main meal.
SPEAKER_03So sunlight is still their main food.
SPEAKER_00Exactly. Once a bug is trapped, the plant slowly digests it over several days. Then the trap opens back up.
SPEAKER_03It's ready for another bug.
SPEAKER_00And here's something interesting.
SPEAKER_03Each trap usually only works a few times before the plant grows a brand new one. So it's always making new traps.
SPEAKER_00Here's something most people never notice. Venus flytraps actually grow beautiful white flowers.
SPEAKER_03Wait, what? Why would a bug eating plant want flowers? Great question. The flowers grow on long stems above the traps. That keeps helpful pollinators like bees away from the snapping leaves.
SPEAKER_00That way it doesn't accidentally eat the insects helping it make seeds. Now that's amazing design.
SPEAKER_01Yippee.
SPEAKER_00When people hear about a bug-eating plant, they sometimes think it's strange. But when we look closely, every part has its purpose.
SPEAKER_03The fast trap, the trigger hairs, the flowers growing high above the traps. Everything works together.
SPEAKER_00It reminds us that God's creation is full of incredible wisdom and creativity.
SPEAKER_03Sometimes the most unusual plants teach us the biggest lesson about careful design.
SPEAKER_00Alright, we've got time for a few more jokes. What do you have, Dylan?
SPEAKER_03What is the scariest plant? What?
SPEAKER_02Bamboo. What is the largest number a plant can count to? What? Tree.
SPEAKER_00Think about this.
SPEAKER_03A plant that moves, counts touches, catches insects, and grows beautiful flowers.
SPEAKER_00That's one of the coolest plants we've ever learned about.
SPEAKER_03It really is. The more we discover about nature, the more we discover God's amazing creativity.
SPEAKER_00Venus flytraps aren't monsters. They're amazing plants designed to survive in a very special environment. From lightning fast traps to beautiful flowers, they remind us that even plants can be full of incredible surprises. Thanks for joining us on the Nature Loving Kids Podcast.
SPEAKER_03If you like this episode, share with a friend and remember, click the follow button. New episode every one. Don't forget about our contest. You have until August 30th to send us your best picture. And we will put four amazing pictures. And maybe don't stick your finger in the slide drop.
SPEAKER_00Until next time, stay curious, get outside and remember.
SPEAKER_01The world is oop of wild wonder. The world is oop of wild wonder.
SPEAKER_02The world is oop of wild wonder.