Is it legal to own a Venus flytrap?

Is it legal to own a Venus flytrap?

Venus flytraps (Dionae muscipula) grow in just a few small areas in North and South Carolina. Although they’re protected under state law (and are being considered for national protection under the Endangered Species Act), there’s a large illegal market for them.

Can you still buy Venus fly traps?

Venus’ flytraps can be bought legally at a variety of stores. Fly Trap Farm, a well-known wholesaler in Brunswick County, sells flytraps to small garden centers, greenhouses and botanical gardens in Southeastern North Carolina.

Why are Venus fly traps illegal?

The Venus flytrap is endemic to North and South Carolina, but it has been introduced to a few other states. The North Carolina Plant Conservation Program lists the Venus flytrap as a species of Special Concern-Vulnerable in North Carolina, and poaching of this plant became a felony in 2014.

How much does it cost to buy a Venus fly trap?

Venus flytraps are best purchased from Carnivorous Plant nurseries. A common Venus flytrap usually costs between $4 and $7.

How hard is it to keep a Venus flytrap alive?

Flytraps have a reputation for being tough to care for, but the trick is to try to match its native conditions. It prefers warmer places, though it can tolerate temperatures down to the low 40s F. Some humidity is also important, though less so than other carnivorous plants.

What is the lifespan of a Venus flytrap?

Each trap on the plant can only open and close several times before it dies and falls off. Then the plant produces a new trap from its underground stems. The lifespan of the Venus flytrap isn’t known for certain, but it’s been estimated to live up to 20 years and possibly longer.

Can you buy Venus flytraps online?

The three most common places were you can buy carnivorous plants and Venus flytraps specifically are specialized online shops, brick and mortar stores, and Amazon.

Do Venus flytraps really eat flies?

Flytraps lure insects by the reddish lining in the leaves and by secreting a fragrant nectar. After five to 12 days, the plant will reopen and the parts of the bug that couldn’t be digested fall out. The Venus flytrap’s primary prey is ants, but it will also eat flies, beetles, slugs, spiders and even tiny frogs.

Can you feed a Venus flytrap a dead bug?

The trick is that the prey must be alive when caught. Dead flies won’t work in Venus flytrap feeding; the insect must move around inside the trap to trigger it to close and begin digesting the food. It also needs to be small enough that the trap can close tightly around it to keep out bacteria.

What is the best environment for a Venus flytrap?

They grow in moist, acidic soils in full sun, but only survive winter outdoors in Zones 8-10. Gardeners in colder-winter climates should grow Venus flytraps in a moist environment, such as a terrarium, that can go indoors during winter.

Can Venus flytraps survive without bugs?

A Venus flytrap can live without ever consuming an insect. Venus flytraps, like all other plants, make their own food through photosynthesis. They can stay alive as long as they have enough access to sunlight, water, and airflow for photosynthesis. Venus flytraps consume bugs because they grow in nutrient-poor areas.

Why can’t Venus fly traps eat ants?

Venus flytraps do not rely solely on consuming flies. Most ant species are small enough to fit inside the leaves of a Venus flytrap. Venus flytraps sometimes struggle to capture bugs that are too large for their leaves. Ants are an appropriate size for most young and mature plants.

How much do Venus flytraps cost?

Venus flytraps are not expensive. You can buy a single plant for as low as $10. If you purchase several of them, the price becomes more economical, sometimes to $5 per plant. Keep in mind that mature plants and unique varieties are more expensive.

Are Venus fly traps native to North Carolina?

Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is undoubtedly one of the most exotic plant there is, fascinating us with its carnivorous nature and lightning-quick traps. Venus flytraps are American native plants, growing wild alongside sarracenia (pitcher plants) in low, sandy, nutrient-poor areas within a 90 mile radius of Wilmington, North Carolina.

Should you buy Venus Fly Trap seeds or seeds?

When you buy Venus flytraps, you can opt for a few different options: Seeds: When you grow Venus flytrap from seeds, then you get the whole experience. However, it can be challenging to take care of the seedling. Also, consider that you can harvest your own seeds if you buy an already grown plant.

How to care for a Venus Fly Trap?

Soil: The best ground for Venus flytrap is nutrient-free and with good drainage. You can find many carnivorous plant soils in the market. Also, you can make your own by mixing a combination of Long-fibered sphagnum moss, sphagnum peat moss, sand, and perlite. Water: You can not water Venus flytrap with tap water.