Snail Caught Halfway in Venus Flytrap—Will the Leaf Die?

Matt placed a tiny snail in a VFT; the trap closed but couldn't seal fully because the snail's shell protruded. He asks if the leaf will die or reopen, and if the snail can eat its way out.

Common Occurrence, Usually Fine

Jeff Dallas: "It's very common for critters to get half-trapped in Venus flytraps. The portion in the trap will get digested. Sometimes the trap dies, sometimes it doesn't. That usually depends more on the health of the plant, and how big the bug is, and how old the trap is."

The snail cannot eat its way out. The trap will either digest the soft parts and eventually reopen, or blacken and be replaced. No action needed.