Pole Plant

Pole plants are cleverly hidden plantlike predators which, at a glance, look like any other pole to be climbed on. When any creature does grab onto the plant, it will reveal its true form, grabbing on tightly with red leaf-like appendages and pulling the creature down into its den to be eaten. Dormant pole plants will occasionally pulse their leaves outwards revealing telltale flashes of red. The pull of a pole plant is strong enough to grab even creatures as strong as a vulture, but they will typically die to a single spear.

Combat tips
If a piece of rubbish is thrown at the plant, it will writhe around in annoyance, entering an active state. Whilst active it has a tendency to grab anything within range (including the slugcat). After the pole plant has been aggravated, it will attack any creature that passes by it. During this window it is suggested to give the pole plant a wide berth. This tactic can be useful for getting rid of pursuing predators, such as lizards. If slugcat is grabbed, hitting the plant with a piece of rubbish or a spear will cause it to let go.

Hitting a pole plant with a spear will cause it writhe around in pain. In this panicked state, the plant is harmless; quick slugcats can retrieve the spear before the plant retreats underground. 'Killed' pole plants usually return the following cycle and are in the same spot.

Avoidance
A pole plant can be told from normal poles by opening up the map view, a pole which is not visible on the map is a hidden pole plant, in addition the guide will indicate the pole plant with the flashing red and yellow predator "warning" symbol along with the threat music playing. If possible (wait for the plant to return to dormant if aggravated) try and run along the bottom being mindful not to jump into the vicious plant. Another trick is to look at the poles themselves, they are discolored and have missing rust spots along the edges. If a pole plant is accidentally grabbed, quickly jump off to avoid being pulled in.

In a rare occurrence in the Sky Islands some can be found sideways, these are much harder to escape as the plant is not mounted near the floors.

Trivia

 * Pole Plants cannot be tranquilized by Spitter Spiders
 * Typically the pole plants encountered stand vertically, however in some areas they can be found mounted on walls hidden as side poles.
 * It is possible for a pole plant to be replaced with a Monster Kelp if the slugcat kills it enough times over many cycles. This change can cause certain routes to become virtually inaccessible.
 * The insects released by beehives will not attempt to attach to pole plants. Pole plants also will not block a thrown beehive.
 * Even as they die, Pole Plants can sometimes grab on to creatures that are too close and pull them in.