Why this Plant Invites an Ant to Eat its Prey

The extraordinary world of carnivorous plants is the setting for some unusual alliances. Certain species like the tropical fanged pitcher plant just don’t have the stomach to digest the prey they trap. ↠Subscribe: www.youtube.co...
Enter the insects! Bugs like carpenter ants live and work with the fanged pitcher plant to keep it clean and healthy, receiving food and board in return. And it’s a similar story with other flesh-eating plants across the planet…
Check out more carnivorous plants in action and learn why a bat would roost inside one. And don’t forget to subscribe and hit the alert button to see all our latest videos!
#terramatters #carnivorematters
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Producer: Ruth Berry
Editor: Mathias Muckenhuber
Executive Producer: Eva Schmidt
Graphics Designer: Jörg Eisenprobst
Voice-Over: Julian Nightingall
Audiomix: Mathias Muckenhuber
Original Production:
“Plants behaving badly” - A Terra Mater Factual Studios production, produced by Sky Vision, written and directed by Steve Nicholls.
“Islands in Time” - A Terra Mater Factual Studios production, in co-production with National Geographic Channel and NDR Naturfilm/Doclights, written and directed by Paul reddish and Matt Hamilton.
Production:
Terra Mater Factual Studios GmbH
[e-mail]
@terramater

[@terramater]

Have you ever hear about the symbiotic relationship between Camponotus Schmitzi ants and carnivorous plants before? 🐜😮

[@geethas2065]

Never until now

[@Santiino]

Mindblowing for sur2

[@carriegrasty8852]

If a super volcano erupted or a giant astroid hit earth destroying humanity could mother nature re-build from the ground up from wear humans left off from destroying it and if so would there still be permanent damage or would there be so much permanent damage that plants and living creatures wouldn't be able to adapt fast enough in new habitats destroying all of what is on earth entirely leaveing it as just rock and dirt in space and nothing less

[@Cleeon]

I bought the plant, directly from Borneo nursery of Nepenthes, but don't get any of that ants, sad

[@sandychen1381]

No sir

[@TreyPDB]

"Hey, the fly is still struggling. Wanna fight?" "Yeah, sure."

[@chandrasekarannatarajan3542]

The bug :yea i am bored

[@alexcisneros2980]

Reminds me of call of duty shooting your teammates while the map loads

[@durere]

"I want you to hit me as hard as you can"

[@fishnuggets6624]

😂 it's like being a house maid to a serial killer while that serial killer feeds you everyday

[@Shotblur]

ah yes, marriage

[@JNF590]

@@Shotblur oh wow lol

[@NightcorEDM]

Fun fact: If you go to IEndia 🇮🇳 you'll see lots of dirty disgusting stinky slums

[@Everhard86]

Its like being a house maid to a serial killer who feeds you his victims....

[@mileidycardoza374]

The choosen nerverland

[@Sidararas2007]

This is so cool how much a small channel can show you. You guys literally *could* keep up with bigger channels.

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Thank you so much for your kind words! 😊

[@rymir3939]

You're right about that

[@dudeguymap]

Geez since when did over 250k subs mean small channel

[@AntsCanada]

Love this! I also tried putting carnivorous pitcher plants in my ant terrarium once. What ended up happening was surprising! I filmed the result for my channel. Ants and plants form crazy relationships for sure!

[@terramater]

That's fascinating! Watching your channel now.. really interesting content. 👍🏼 We should collaborate at some point!

[@Gamerman566]

This is like the avengers coming together over social media

[@idontknow._.4791]

Oooo future collab?👀

[@renzandrianmalvas2844]

I knew ur here lol

[@yufengyan]

hi ants canda

[@thecommentguy9380]

The assassin bug approach it's prey with caution The fly: DUDE STOP POKING MY ASS!!

[@stevebennett9839]

What a good way to start my day. Good morning from Pennsylvania.

[@terramater]

Best way to start the day! 🙌🏽 P.S.: Best wishes to Pennsylvania! 👋🏽

[@humanpepe7406]

Good afternoon

[@WanderTheNomad]

I wondered how the assassin bug evolved that layer of grease. Was it specifically for maneuvering the carnivorous plant? Or was it for another reason and happened to be a beneficial side effect?

[@captain_buggles]

My bet is that it helped keep them safe from fungal spores or something, it seems like insects always have to worry about that kind of thing.

[@LibertyForAll-l3q]

also if the environment they live in is very wet an extra layer of grease can help them maneuver easily.

[@HYBELABELSJANITOR]

My respect to this channel went 📈📈📈 after watching this video

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Oh Wow! We are more than happy to hear that! 😊🐜🌱

[@HYBELABELSJANITOR]

@@lenafromterramater3690 so u have a second acc? i see-

[@phoneguy4637]

I know about a species named Nepenthes albomarginata, that literally cultivates certain termites. the termites protect the plant and keep it free from locusts, but also sends large groups of its own workers into the pitchers just to feed them.

[@rymir3939]

As other comments say.. You really kept up with other "Big" channels out there You guys made such quality content and hope it keeps going!

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Thank you for your kind words 😊

[@bentley2678]

I love this type of content, reminds me of how the Discovery Channel used to be. Really nice to see this level of quality from a smaller youtube channel

[@Sonnenblume997]

I'm suprised that this channel is below 250k subs, the production quality is so high!

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Wow thank you so much for your kind words!

[@heleavesthe99]

Not any more it isn't 😌

[@ethanrotheram1096]

If I’m correct, nepenthes bicalcarata CAN digest prey by itself since is has gastric juices, but it’s juices are weaker than other pitcher plants and it benefits greatly from the ants 🐜. But the other plant needs the Assassin Bug to digest for it because that plant has no digestive enzymes. Good video btw

[@baixiaopeng6194]

I am a very picky watcher, and I only think BBC can do a marvelous nature documentary. Glad you proved me wrong 🍾

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Wow these are Big Words! Thank you so much! This means a lot to us! 😊🥳🙌

[@jmstudios457]

I really like these videos about carnivorous plants. I guess it's some kind of morbid curiousity

[@lenafromterramater3690]

They are truly amazing 🌱

[@your_average_blanket_lover3732]

The ant in the nepenthes bicalcarata *used* ti be camponotus,now it’s been put in the genus colobopsis,making it colobopsis schmitzi

[@arjrocks]

Just putting a comment to say how amazing this channel is. Stumbled across it a few weeks ago and I immediately subscribed. The back catalogue of videos you have is great and I hope you continue making them for us to enjoy, cos your subscribers love it! (and believe me, you deserve millions of subs and they will come!)

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Wow such kind words make our day! We are happy to have you as part of our community! 😊

[@ericcloud1023]

Vis-cus viscous, not vi-shish vicious, narrator the enzyme is to viscous to penetrate the shell. I doubt it's to vicious....being inanimate and all lmao

[@brycekirkham6896]

This channel really needs more recognition. Never heard about this symbiotic relationship before and yet again another fascinating video with some amazing camerawork! Love it guys, can't wait for your next one!

[@lenafromterramater3690]

You are more than welcome to spread the word 😊Thank you so much for your supporting words!

[@brycekirkham6896]

@@lenafromterramater3690 I certainly will spread the word, keep up the excellent work!

[@Absolute_Goblin]

Ant: "hey Larry this guy says he has free nectar" Other ant: "nice what does he want in return?" Plant: "POOP IN MY MOUTH"

[@heleavesthe99]

😒

[@jednewman430]

How you guys are below 1m subscribers is beyond me

[@lenafromterramater3690]

We are constantly growing - and it really helps with subscriber like you Jed, that are engaging! Thanks 😊

[@AbrarGamingOfficial]

@@lenafromterramater3690 Do you have any proof your not an imposter?

[@tracejohnson6273]

Really fascinating subject matter and good production. I notice people commenting about how big this channel can get. I think some might be turned off by mispronunciations in the narration, but if you work more on that, you’ll be golden.

[@nehachilekar6283]

I am very very very thankful to God who has created humans like your team to support the natural wildlife. I am thankful to all your team for conserving this precious wildlife and spreading its knowledge to all parts of the world . LOVE FROM INDIA❤️

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Wow Neha these words mean a lot to us! We are happy to have you as our subscriber! 😊Greets to India

[@nehachilekar6283]

@@lenafromterramater3690 ☺️

[@bhutwheyttherismor86]

"Too vicious" pretty sure he meant viscous but it gave me a solid laugh to imagine agressive slime.

[@bhutwheyttherismor86]

Unimpended* -unimpeded

[@user-jp3ru1dw3k]

The production quality of this channel is unreal; keep it up!

[@cakecrumb095]

I’m both disturbed and amazed. Carnivorous plants are nature’s horror shows.

[@Abcderfuytiweb58_67]

Universe is expending just like this channel I'm a *BIOLOGY* student from India 🇮🇳 And love your all videos ✌️✌️👍🥰

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Hello to India from our Team! Glad to hear that you like our videos so much! 😊

[@freespeechisdead1565]

0:58 Did he mean viscous? Or is he saying the resin is especially ornery?

[@DeinocheirusWithAGun]

Ants are cute tbh

[@lenafromterramater3690]

They really are - with their big eyes! 🐜

[@antcow1239]

Speaking of pitcher plants, how do they get rid of the bodies on their own?

[@lenafromterramater3690]

The pitcher is filled with a digestive juice that digests the insects that fall into the trap!

[@benfranklin5121]

Better than discovery channel🔥

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Glad to ear that you like our videos so much 😊

[@dukeofothaya5039]

No doubt.

[@chrisjett313]

First time I'm hearing about carnivorous plants and I'm 32

[@kndakaridope5021]

I really appreciate the way that you make these videos keep up the good work man

[@feroxformicae6553]

Very interesting video, but Camponotus schmitzi and it’s relatives were incorporated into their own genus, Colobopsis, in 2016. They’re commonly known a cork-head or stopper ants due to the cork-like heads of major workers that they use to block the nest entrance with. Still though, great video! :)

[@madtitan9202]

What a beautiful Nepenthes bicalcarata..

[@arashkborzoo]

Wow your channel is soooo good with such great quality content and detailed explanation, how don't you yet have like 10 million Subs. Hope you succeed 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@LightStorm.]

did you recored all these videos? if not you might want to remove the water mark for legal purposes

[@JessHull]

Did this guy seriously refer to the Roridula as a pitcher plant?! ahhaha

[@TrapTherapy]

that rafflesiana var nivea in 2:29 is magnificent

[@shilohhh33]

Me sleeping peacefully: My mind : wanna see an ant cleaning a serial killer's house

[@catwhite905]

3:10 its actually really ez for an ant to escape just watch ants Canada's:"ants vs carnivorous plants" Spoiler warning! The golden empires ants are ever-learning and they place random stuff like fly wings into the plant and the plant provides them with a sweet secretion at the plants so called 'lips' and the ants 'yellow crazy ants' feed the plants and when they become old they become safe but at the start they eat some ants. Edit: oh yeah yellow crazy ants are good swimmers.

[@zalifor]

These sound effects are spot on, its like in the advertisements for candy bars like kit kats

[@Drew_Hawk]

I love my Nepenthes. So much diversity!

[@TheOutdoorSeeker]

Interesting topic, never heard of this before but I am not surprised. Nicely done!

[@madhurshinde4988]

I love this channel. The content they provide to us is under rated

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Wow these words mean the 🌎 to us!

[@eyemet]

You have worked hard to create this precious video.

[@terramater]

Thanks!

[@tuan1636]

Thank you very much for making this video . You make my day more meaningful 💚

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Glad you enjoyed it so much! We are happy to hear that! 😊

[@buttmurphy323]

Fantastic content. I wonder how large the team is behind these videos, from filming to editing to commentary

[@lenafromterramater3690]

We´re glad you like our videos so much! There are many talented people involved! 😊

[@HYBELABELSJANITOR]

I'm here before this channel becomes popular.

[@DeinocheirusWithAGun]

toast to the early people

[@shivamss9263]

Joined you since your first video A nice journey till now. 👍

[@terramater]

Thanks for your amazing support, it means the world to us that you're here since the very beginning! 🤗

[@williammenard6802]

I thought my life sucked! But when I see the fate of that fly, I am happy to go to work everyday lol

[@VashtheStampede007]

You should watch the video how millions sperm were grabbed and killed by the woman’s immune system. Only one made it to the final destination. You! lol. You are the chosen one out of millions.

[@williammenard6802]

@@VashtheStampede007 chosen or got lucky? Lol

[@TheWereparadox]

"Living inside a carnivore" All furries---> 👀

[@angela.luntian]

I love the sound design. Its like ASMR.

[@alexkaminski7148]

To fix the comments sentence below:its like being in a house made for a serial killer while that serial killer feeds you everyday

[@XoADREADNOUGHT]

lmao. Too "vicious"... You meant "viscous", pronounced "visk-kuss". I spit my drink out at that...

[@xdshanuhweeharithchan4835]

I really love nature and this channel

[@lenafromterramater3690]

We are happy to hear that 🌱😊

[@boredwarlock5216]

Foley on the assassin-bug is too much. But it was good up to that point. Those high pitched noises on the legs/plant interacting, hurts your ears with headphones in

[@CliffTVlovesyou]

This channel shoukd've a million sub.

[@lenafromterramater3690]

We think so too 😄 - but we are constantly growing!

[@Halo56782]

"With caution" bug proceeds to spaz wildly

[@rubenoneal6758]

We could solve world hunger with nutrient rich feces.

[@theworldataglance7964]

This channel is something else..... my 😍😍 from Jordan

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Greets back from Austria! Happy to have you here on our channel! 😊

[@theworldataglance7964]

@@lenafromterramater3690 thank you bro ❤️

[@ahmetberkayhan5498]

Wow just opened youtube

[@Epoch11]

Too vicious or too viscous? Haha 😂

[@ValirAmaril]

Ant: it started as a dare...

[@hansensei6626]

Sometimes we are thinking too complex while there is simple answer, the ants were too small, little nutrient values and to exhausting to digest while they were just being oportunistic lives in the plants and rob the bigger trapped prey

[@teebee7769]

3:06 Schmitty!!!!

[@debrawestbrook8960]

Hey, it's Victreebell!!

[@curlybeast3002]

Hello plz can u open more about the white giraffe spotted .is it dead or alive or what happened to it please tell us more about it

[@breather8758]

This channel is quite good!

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Happy to hear that!

[@biawakstruus]

Each plant have ten ants as tenants

[@LeeFav.]

Such a small channel and have good vid shots pretty cool

[@lenafromterramater3690]

We are glad you enjoy our content that much 😊

[@SekRanger]

Do you have any paid services to see your documentary.

[@j1thegod]

As a South African i assumed this was out in the jungles of Colombia or something. Definitely just received a rude awakening😅

Are those fishes in the pitcher plants

[@w0rthless27]

I love this plant videos

[@lenafromterramater3690]

These plants are amazing right?! 🌱

[@pyrofreezer]

When I first subscribe it was less than 100k, now it's 200k 🥳

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Wow Jordan such a loyal subscriber! We love that! 😊

[@swampfox1wot]

0:58 Not vicious, but viscous.

[@tokyopapillon837]

Vicious glue 😂 Not viscous?

[@tokyopapillon837]

‘Uninpended access’ too. Should be, ‘unimpeded’. lmao

[@andresdeleon5160]

Wow.

[@cbux1447]

Did he mean "vicious" or "viscous"?

[@harshrahate9877]

When 🐛 get more free protein than you 😂

[@kamp2285]

always JUST LIKE US it's fed up

[@theshuman100]

0:57 bruh i know you wanna hype up the plant but i think the word is viscous not vicious

[@Cleeon]

Any of you know, where to buy that Nepenthes, which also included that ants colony, for sale?

[@JAKARTAVISIT]

Beautyful nature 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Indeed!

[@crobar1]

The cyberpunk music in the background

[@eurosnuke1678]

Name sounds like a race from rick and morty

[@Danigon876]

Assassin bugs are awesome for killing flies like this.

[@Northmaindreams]

This is very informative and learning experience 💯🤔😯💀🏃

[@asphar100]

Real question, what is the name of music? XD

[@swansurt1350]

I think you meant viscous not vicious

[@Mefbuz]

This is amazing!

[@BatBrakesBones]

Wow this is excellent. Thought it was some Nat geo stuff.

[@akap9612]

VisKous.

[@ReplyNotificationsMuted]

The ant and the pitcher plant

[@Kjnvj-bu6wh]

I‘m lil bit triggered as nepenthes hobbyist by not calling Bicalcarata by its species name😂

[@usmanjat74]

Good info but music killed the taste

[@The_Kirk_Lazarus]

Vicious or viscous?

[@Waltzer69]

Ngl, the plant at the start got chonky.