Plants that act like animals: Discover the 10 bizarre species on Earth that move, feel and even 'cry'

We usually think of plants as quiet and still just growing slowly in the ground. But some plants act in surprising ways that make them appear more like animals . They can move, react to touch and even do things that look like showing feelings. Some chase other plants like predators, while others protect their young. A few even send out signals that seem like they’re crying. These strange and amazing plants show us that the plant world is full of surprises. Here are 10 plants that behave in ways you’d never expect—moving, feeling and acting almost like animals.


Plants that act more like animals

SundewThe sundew is a perfect example of a plant that acts almost like an animal. Instead of just sitting still and waiting for nutrients from the soil, it actively hunts insects using its sticky and dew-covered leaves. When an unsuspecting bug lands, it gets trapped by the glue-like droplets and the sundew’s leaves slowly wrap around the prey which is almost like a predator capturing its meal. Then, the plant digests the insect to gain nutrients by showing a surprising level of movement and interaction that makes it seem more alive and animal-like than many other plants.




Skunk cabbage
Skunk cabbage is a plant that challenges typical plant behavior, exhibiting traits that make it seem more animal-like in certain ways. It produces a strong skunk-like smell to attract insects in the same way how animals use scents to communicate or attract prey. Even the more fascinating fact is that skunk cabbage can generate its own heat that is warming up enough to melt surrounding snow and bloom early in the spring. This ability to regulate temperature and actively influence its environment shows a surprising level of awareness and adaptability helps in blurring the line between plant and animal behaviors.




WitchweedWitchweed is a parasitic plant that behaves almost like a sneaky animal hunting for its meal. Instead of growing independently, it attaches itself to the roots of other plants and steals water and nutrients to survive. The remarkable fact is that witchweed can sense nearby host plants and send out tiny root-like structures to latch onto them that is almost like an animal stalking its prey. This active searching and dependence on other plants make witchweed more than just a typical green plant. Thus, it is a cunning parasite with animal-like survival tactics.




Mirror orchidThe mirror orchid is a fascinating example of a plant that uses animal-like tricks to survive. Instead of just waiting for pollinators to visit, it cleverly mimics the appearance and scent of female insects to attract male pollinators. This sexual deception attracts male insects who try to mate with the flower because they mistake it for a potential partner and in the process, they help the orchid spread its pollen. This behavior shows a surprising level of interaction and mimicry which is almost like the orchid is playing with insects thus, blurring the line between plant and animal behavior in a truly remarkable way.




RafflesiaRafflesia is one of the most extraordinary plants because it behaves in ways that remind us of animal cunning. It is also known as the "corpse flower" as it emits a strong foul odor that is similar to rotting flesh to attract flies and other insects for pollination. This smell tricks insects into thinking that they have found a food source or a place to lay eggs which is much like how animals use scent to lure or communicate. Additionally, it is a parasitic plant with no leaves or roots of its own, relying entirely on a host vine for nutrients. Its deceptive scent and parasitic lifestyle making it a fascinating example of a plant using animal-like strategies to survive and reproduce.




ToothwortToothwort is a fascinating parasitic plant that behaves in ways that seem almost like animals. It relies on attaching to the roots of other plants to steal water and nutrients which is much like how some animals depend on others for survival. Its roots latch onto host plants underground, and search out their nutrients quietly but effectively. This hidden parasitic lifestyle is combined with its ability to sense and respond to nearby hosts which gives toothwort a sneaky and animal-like way of living that blurs the usual boundaries we think of between plants and animals.




Sensitive plantThe sensitive plant is famous for its rapid movement which makes it seem almost like animals. When touched or shaken, its leaves quickly fold up and droop, which is a defense mechanism to protect itself from harm, much like how animals react to danger. This quick response to touch is rare in the plant world and shows a surprising level of sensitivity and awareness. By reacting to its environment in such an active way, the sensitive plant blurs the line between plants and animals, proving that plants can fee” and respond to the world around them in unexpected ways.




Maidenhair treeThe Maidenhair tree is often called a living fossil because it has existed for millions of years by surviving drastic changes in the environment that is almost like an ancient wise creature. While it doesn’t move or hunt like animals, it shows remarkable resilience and adaptability traits that are usually associated with animals. The tree’s unique fan-shaped leaves and strong resistance to pollution and disease help it thrive where many others cannot. Its longevity and toughness give it an almost animal-like persistence by blurring the lines between simple plant life and living beings that actively endure and adapt through time.




Broad beanBroad beans are more than just simple plants because they show surprising behaviors that resemble animal traits. When their seeds are developing, broad bean plants can actively adjust the way they grow to protect their young ones, which is almost like a parent caring for its offspring. Additionally, broad beans can communicate with other plants by releasing chemical signals when under attack by pests,warning nearby plants to prepare their defenses. This kind of interaction and responsiveness gives the broad bean a more dynamic, aware quality, blurring the line between passive plants and responsive animal-like organisms.




Strangling figThe strangling fig behaves almost like a cunning predator in the plant world. It begins life as a tiny seed dropped high in the branches of a host tree. From there, it sends down roots that wrap tightly around the host and slowly constrict it that is much like how a snake coils around its prey. Over time, the fig can completely strangle and even kill the host tree by taking its place in the canopy to soak up sunlight. This aggressive and almost animal-like behavior of hunting, capturing and outcompeting other plants shows how the strangling fig blurs the line between passive flora and active animal-like survival strategies.




Also read: Three rare-to-find endangered macaques born at Trentham monkey forest in Staffordshire