To hunt flies and other small animals, the Venus flytrap has to be faster than its prey. To do so, it has developed a catching organ that can snap shut in a fraction of a second and is controlled by the fastest signaling networks known in plants. An electrical signal known as the action potential is at the heart of this network. When a fly touches one of the six sensory hairs of the Venus flytrap, an action potential is generated, arming the snap trap. A second action potential finally triggers the capture organ.