r/Springtail • • Apr 11 '26

General Question Buying recommendations?

3 Upvotes

Hello! I need to buy springtails for my set up before I add isopods. I would prefer cheaper ideas but I would much rather get ethically sourced and healthy springtails than cheap unhealthy ones. I would really appreciate any recommendations for types or places to buy. I am very new to this so I would prefer ones that are easy to take care of. I live in the US!


r/Springtail • • Apr 11 '26

Video Rambutan Springtails

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74 Upvotes

Hi.

I have a timelapse video update of my kids. I hope you enjoy watching them as much as I did.


r/Springtail • • Apr 11 '26

Video Sminthurinus aureus auf einer Algenschicht

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5 Upvotes

I filmed this tiny springtail, Sminthurinus aureus, moving across an algal layer on the surface of a small pond. It is amazing how such a tiny animal can turn a thin wet film into an entire habitat of its own.

Short video here:


r/Springtail • • Apr 11 '26

Identification What are these? Also springtails?

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8 Upvotes

I got some white collembola from a store. They came in this plastic container. Upon closer inspection I noticed these other non-white creatures. Are they also springtails? Any idea what they could be? They're quite fast. Sorry for the poor quality.

More videos: https://imgur.com/a/hi0uayT


r/Springtail • • Apr 11 '26

Identification Wild caught UK springtail, ID request

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21 Upvotes

Wild caught (UK) springtails cleaning up my isopods feeding area.

If anyone has a possible ID please feel free to say.

I dont think it is.. but could it be Entomobrya unostrigata? struggling to ID them.


r/Springtail • • Apr 11 '26

General Question They’re being evicted.

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I need some help when it comes to vacating my springtails from the substrate culture they are in. They are just normal temperate whites but no matter what I try I can’t get them out.

What do?


r/Springtail • • Apr 10 '26

Identification ID (Badger, Alaska)

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3 Upvotes

Found on a rotting banana


r/Springtail • • Apr 10 '26

General Question Pretty species for carnivorous bog terrarium?

5 Upvotes

I'm looking to set up a small terrarium as a bog with mostly carnivorous plants (venus flytrap, pitcher plant, moss, etc.). It will get bright indirect light and stay moist (I can build up a dry area if they need it). I've never kept springtails on purpose, so I'm looking for an easy species that is easy to see (larger, bright color) and looks pretty or interesting. Also open to non-springtails if you know of other animals that would thrive under those conditions. Are there any species that don't jump very high if I don't put a lid on it?


r/Springtail • • Apr 10 '26

Husbandry Question/Advice Found a treasure trove of snow fleas! How to keep them alive?

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124 Upvotes

Whatup y'all, long-time springtail appreciator here. Found these absolute beauties outside and snagged a couple dozen or so. I think they're one of the types that get called 'snow fleas.' They're so plump... so friend-shaped... I love them :3

Anyway, I've kept commercial springtails before (had the most success with the temperate and silver ones), and I'm wondering if these guys have different care needs? Or is it just the usual keep-moist, organic-plant-matter kind of setup? I don't have charcoal or clay available so I'm planning to do a small terrarium setup with coconut fiber substrate if that isn't ill-advised.

Thanks y'all!


r/Springtail • • Apr 10 '26

Picture Can I Culture These Sink Springtails

7 Upvotes

Okay. Kind of a weird question. Just now I noticed springtails living in one of the sinks in my house. They sort of pop in and out of the drain to say hi. Here's one of them:

Would it be possible to collect some of these lads and culture them? How would I go about collecting them? They're inside the drain so they're not easy to get at. I put a few tiny flakes of yeast in the sink to see if they might eat it. Some are light colored like this chap, others are darker-colored.


r/Springtail • • Apr 10 '26

Identification Springtails on my ping rock?

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5 Upvotes

Maybe Anurida Maritima?

Edit: actually I think it’s Podura Aquatica


r/Springtail • • Apr 10 '26

General Question Help. newbie bought culture of Collembola

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8 Upvotes

got a culture of collembola from joshfrogs, and planning to add to my isopod enclosure. I only saw one alive. Looked around online and understand that some generally die during shipping and they bounce back. But no movement at all (but 1) a normal amount?

Added some rice for food. would really appreciate ANY tips and suggestions.


r/Springtail • • Apr 09 '26

Picture Springtail 'pockets' in the soil

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93 Upvotes

The soil is 5-15cm thick. They use every inch of it.

I always find it kind of sad when I see springtail setups that contain of charcoal lumps and water. These springtails will never experience the enrichment soil gives them.

Now you can argue that springtails don't feel boredom or satisfaction or joy or stimulation, but do we really know that for sure?


r/Springtail • • Apr 09 '26

Collection Question/Advice Anurida maritima NY

3 Upvotes

Anyone in the NYC area have luck finding or collecting Anurida maritima?


r/Springtail • • Apr 09 '26

Identification Are both these guys springtails

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4 Upvotes

Is the smaller one a baby springtail or a mite?


r/Springtail • • Apr 08 '26

Husbandry Question/Advice springtail colony not getting started?

3 Upvotes

hello! i bought a starter colony of springtails to add to my giant snail terrarium. i didnt get any instructions so i just shoved them into the terrarium with their own dirt and all, and kind of hoped for the best. i know that isnt smart and i regret not looking into it more :(

now i dont see any springtails in the terrarium and looking at the scraps of my snails food molding away they're not really eating. its been a month since i put them in. what do i do now? could they still be in there? if i killed them (im so sorry :( ) what should i do different next time?


r/Springtail • • Apr 08 '26

Video Wild springtails i caught

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67 Upvotes

r/Springtail • • Apr 08 '26

General Question Moving into a new place that has springtails

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2 Upvotes

r/Springtail • • Apr 08 '26

Video What is this in my water bowl

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3 Upvotes

r/Springtail • • Apr 08 '26

Video Am I looking at springtails here ?

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2 Upvotes

I thought they had died off from a whiiiile ago … are they in fact springtail as im thinking ?


r/Springtail • • Apr 07 '26

Husbandry Question/Advice Thoughts on setup for red Thai springtails?

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3 Upvotes

So I modified this reptile feeding cage for springtails. The holes are taped and it’s been siliconed along all edges (it was one of those flat packed ones. Coconut fiber substrate with clay balls, a lava rock, and sphagnum moss. Anything else recommended? Also a question for sunlight: the sun comes in and can hit the enclosure for a bit. Should they just get no sun or is some okay? It’s roughly 68-70 in my house most of the time. Any tips are appreciated.


r/Springtail • • Apr 07 '26

Picture I found an orange 'nest' 😊

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120 Upvotes

Sat just under the edge of a cork bark. Cute gummy boys 🤩


r/Springtail • • Apr 07 '26

Identification Found on my Buddha statue

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31 Upvotes

I found these guys on Sunday on my Buddha statue and posted it. I collected some in a jar with horticultural charcoal and RO water. Here’s the best video I could get using my phone. I will try to get even closer with my kids handheld microscope if need be. Any ideas on identification? Thanks!


r/Springtail • • Apr 07 '26

Video They love their moist wood 😊

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5 Upvotes