Carnivorous Plant Terrarium Project

This is an exciting activity for students learning about plants, habitats, carnivores, or omnivores.  Carnivorous plants are usually found in nutrient-poor soil areas such as bogs.  This creates the need to trap and digest live prey, usually small insects or arthropods.  The Venus Flytrap is the most commonly known out of these species and would be a great one to include in this project as most students will already be familiar with this plant.  There are many you can select from and mix together to make beautiful and educational terrariums.  
  
Supplies:  Glass jar with a wide mouth,  sphagum peat moss mixed some with vermiculite as the soil base, a towel, rainwater, fresh fruit in order to attract the prey, and a variety of small carnivorous plants.
Order Plants

Getting Started:
1.  Lay the jar on its side and place on a towel.
2.  Pour a small amount of the soil mixture into the jar. Keep this leveled below the mouth of the jar.
3.  Have your students transplant the plants to the terrarium or their individual terrariums.
4.  Mist with rainwater.
5.  Find a place with the appropriate sun for your plants. Outside is best where bugs are more plentiful.
6.  Secure the jar so it doesn't roll.
7.  Put ripe fruit inside the mouth of the jar to attract bugs.
8.  Mist with rainwater when dry and continue to add ripe fruit often to attract prey.