Red Springtails – Poduromorpha

Red Springtail – Poduromorpha Care Guide

The Red springtails are tiny, primitive hexapods famous for their scavenging traits – their main ecological activity. Usually, they are pretty prolific in habitats where they are found with an average population of at least a million an acre.

Red springtails can be found almost anywhere on the planet’s surface, especially in areas in Antarctica, well beyond snowlines is home to red springtails. The red springtails that breed in densely packed situations usually cannibalize one another and they are sometimes referred to as snow fleas due to their enormous amount.

The red springtails, also called Poduromorpha because of their short legs, have been used as live feeds for reptiles like frogs and spider larvae. They are more notable as pets that will provide the best viewing experience because of their beautiful color as well as their size.

Size, Appearance, and Behavior

The Red Springtail – Poduromorpha is a short-legged species of springtail species that was only discovered and described recently. The red springtail possesses a beautiful red color. When compared to other springtails, the red springtail species does not possess a jump fork, which makes them quite a unique species.

They can grow to an average length of 3-4 mm. Their behavior is not so different from other springtails, hence, they can be bred in the standard terrariums or vivariums. Just like other springtails, the environment must be partly damp and partly wet.

They produce real quickly, as long as they are bred in the right temperature and humidity conditions – they prefer moist environments. They do not bite or sting and pose no threat to humans.

Caring for Red Springtail – Poduromorpha

• Habitats

The red springtail species have been known to be a very highly resistant species, hence they can be found in medium to low-temperature conditions, even in the Antarctica regions. They can be bred in terrariums and vivariums, however, attention must be paid to the temperature and levels of humidity in the environment they are kept in. They thrive well in a humid and medium-temperature environment.

• The Substrate

The substrate for breeding springtails is one of the main determinants of springtail survival. The substrate should be made up of some soil, leaf litter, tree bark, and decaying fungi. They are considered to be excellent clean-up crew, hence, the substrate should be laden with lots of organic matter.

The substrate should be maintained at high air humidity to complement their breeding rate.

• Feeding

Red springtails like other species feed primarily on decaying matter, particularly decaying food. They have large appetites and will keep eating, as long the food is available. They will also feed on fungi, pollen, algae as well as decaying organic matter of plants and animals. 

• Temperature and Humidity

The red springtail should be kept at a medium-high temperature of around 20 – 30℃. They will thrive well in the high humidity of around 60 – 80%. The temperature and humidity are major determining factors if they will survive or not. The conditions they are bred in should be similar to their natural habitat to aid their reproduction.