Santa Claus Springtails — Neanuridae sp. "Redford White"

A rare and visually striking springtail species from the Neanuridae family, named for its festive red and white colouration. These aren't the standard white cleanup crew springtails you're used to — Santa Claus springtails are chunky, plump, slow-moving, and genuinely interesting to watch. They're one of a growing number of coloured Neanuridae springtails gaining popularity in the hobby for their appearance as much as their function.

A Glimpse

• Scientific Name: Neanuridae sp.
• Common Name: Santa Claus Springtails (Redford White)
• Family: Neanuridae (Collembola)
• Adult Size: Small — typical Neanuridae range
• Difficulty: Medium
• Temperature: 18–25°C (room temperature)
• Humidity: High — keep substrate consistently moist
• Diet: Decaying organic matter, mould, fungi, fish flakes, brewer's yeast
• Jumping: No — Neanuridae lack a furcula and cannot jump

What Makes Them Different

If you've only ever kept standard white springtails (Folsomia candida), Neanuridae springtails are a completely different experience.

They don't jump. Most springtails have a furcula — the spring-loaded appendage that launches them into the air when disturbed. Neanuridae have a reduced or absent furcula, so they can't jump at all. Instead, they move slowly and deliberately across the substrate surface. This makes them far easier to observe and far less likely to escape during maintenance. It also means they stay where you put them rather than pinging around the enclosure when you open the lid.

They're chunky. Neanuridae have a distinctly plump, rounded body shape — nothing like the sleek, elongated form of common white springtails. They're sometimes described as looking like tiny walking gummy bears. Combined with the red and white colouration, they're genuinely appealing to look at.

They're visible. Against dark substrate, the red and white patterning stands out clearly. This is a major advantage over standard white springtails, which blend into most substrates and are only really visible in large numbers on the surface. Santa Claus springtails add visual interest to an enclosure in a way that functional white springtails simply don't.

They're slow. Where common springtails zip across surfaces and leap away when disturbed, Neanuridae crawl at a measured pace. This makes them more observable and gives your enclosure a different kind of life — steady, deliberate movement rather than the frantic activity of faster species.

Care

Neanuridae springtails are straightforward to culture once you understand what they need: moisture, organic matter, and warmth.

Container. A small sealed container with minimal ventilation works well. Unlike many invertebrates where ventilation is critical, springtails generally do fine in enclosed, humid environments. A clip-lock tub or similar container with the lid kept on (perhaps cracked slightly for occasional air exchange) is sufficient.

Substrate. Any moist organic substrate works — soil, peat, charcoal, moss, leaf litter, or a combination. The substrate should be consistently damp but not waterlogged. Mist when it starts to dry.

Feeding. Santa Claus springtails are detritivores — they eat decaying organic matter, mould, fungi, and microbial biofilms. Supplement with fish flakes, brewer's yeast (a favourite), or any protein-based food. They have surprisingly large appetites for their size. Feed small amounts regularly rather than large amounts infrequently, and remove excess food before it moulds excessively.

Temperature. 18–25°C — standard UK room temperature. No additional heating needed in most homes.

Humidity. Keep it high. The substrate should always be damp. Neanuridae are adapted to moist soil and leaf litter environments, and they'll desiccate if conditions dry out. Mist as needed.

Breeding

Springtails breed readily when conditions are right. Maintain consistent moisture, warmth, and a reliable food supply and the population will grow on its own. Neanuridae species can be slightly slower to establish than common white springtails, but once the colony gets going, it will sustain itself and expand.

A starter culture is enough to establish a viable population — you don't need to buy large numbers. Patience in the first few weeks while the colony settles and begins reproducing is the main requirement.

What They're Good For

Bioactive cleanup crew. Like all springtails, Santa Claus springtails consume mould, decaying organic matter, and waste. They're effective at keeping substrate clean and preventing mould outbreaks in humid enclosures. Pair them with isopods for a complete bioactive cleanup system.

Display enclosures. The main advantage of coloured Neanuridae over standard whites is aesthetics. In a planted terrarium or vivarium, they add visible life at the soil level. Their slow, non-jumping movement means they don't startle reptiles or amphibians the way jumping springtails sometimes do.

Isopod and millipede enclosures. Springtails and isopods are natural companions in any enclosure. The springtails handle mould and microbial growth at a scale too small for isopods to manage, while isopods process larger organic waste. Together, they create a self-maintaining substrate ecosystem. Santa Claus springtails work alongside any isopod species — from beginner Porcellio scaber to advanced Cubaris and Ardentiella. They're equally at home in millipede enclosures.

Feeder use. Springtails make excellent supplementary food for small reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates — particularly dart frogs and mourning geckos. The slow, non-jumping nature of Neanuridae means they're easier for small predators to catch than standard springtails, which can be frustratingly evasive.

How They Fit Into Your Setup

Springtails are the foundation layer of any bioactive enclosure. They work at the microbial level — consuming mould spores, fungal growth, and decaying matter before it becomes visible. This prevents the mould blooms that plague many humid setups, especially those housing tropical species that need high humidity.

If you're building a bioactive enclosure from scratch, the ideal combination is springtails plus isopods plus good substrate. We stock everything you need to put this together: flake soil and kinshi for nutrient-rich substrate components, magnolia leaves for long-lasting leaf litter, cuttlebone and limestone for calcium, and enclosures and air vents for housing.

For a complete walkthrough on putting a bioactive enclosure together, see our guide to setting up and selecting your first isopods.

Other Springtails We Stock

If you're looking at different springtail options, browse our full springtails for sale collection. We also stock orange springtails (another Neanuridae species) and snowflake springtails alongside standard cultures. Different springtail species can coexist in the same enclosure, so running multiple types gives you both functional diversity and visual variety.