Snowflake Springtails are part of the Collembola class and Onychiuridae family. These springtails are particularly noted for their cleaning properties. They make an excellent cleaning crew for any terrarium or pet enclosure.

Across the globe, Snowflake Springtails are sold in bulk as food for pets like poison dart frogs and reptiles. These springtails are great at consuming organic matter and keeping the surroundings clean. So, many customers are purchasing them for their cleaning properties, too.

A Glimpse

• ·       Origin: No information available (discovered by isopod.steph on instagram)
• ·       Scientific Name: Snowflake Springtails Onychiurinae Sp. 
• ·       Difficulty Level: Easy
• ·       Size: Upto 2 Millimeters
• ·       Rarity: Moderate 
• ·       Favourite Foods: Animal and plant matter

An Overview

Snowflake Springtails are small insect-like creatures that prefer moist conditions and cold climates. Snowflakes liking for cooler temperatures are why steph called them snowflakes. These springtails maintain an omnivore diet, capable of surviving on both animal and plant matter.

In morphology, Snowflakes are very similar to every other springtail. They have a segmented body with several appendages from some of the segments.

Snowflake Springtails are celebrated globally as some of the best terrarium options. Their eye-catching white color makes it easy to locate them inside the enclosure. Many people grow Snowflake as a food source for other small pets like frogs, isopods, etc.

Even though Snowflake Springtails are abundant in various parts of the world, their microscopic size makes it challenging to locate them quickly. So, purchasing a bunch of springtails is not cheap.

Snowflakes are not an excellent option for people in the dry areas of the globe. Snowflake Springtails do not survive in a severely hot climate. If someone from a dry climate plans to purchase Snowflake Springtails, keeping the enclosure as moist and cold as possible so the springtails feel comfortable is advisable.

Basic Care

Despite their status as terrarium pets, Snowflake Springtails are essentially an invasive species. Experts in the category consider all springtail nuisance pests. If not given proper care or if they are ignorant about keeping them safe inside the enclosure, these springtails can damage other flora and fauna. So, providing proper basic care for these springtails is essential.

·       The key to caring for Snowflake Springtails is to always maintain moisture around them. These springtails cannot survive without enough moisture.

·       Snowflake Springtails prefer decayed matter for food. The caregivers should give the springtails plant and animal matter alike. They are also very fond of algae, fungi, etc.

·  Good airflow is not a necessity for the survival of Snowflake Springtails. Like Steph, I keep them in a sealed container and opening it to do feed and maintence ensure the air is replaced/refreshed.

·      The substrate mix in the enclosure of Snowflake Springtails should not go dry at any cost. The caregiver should wet the surface whenever needed.

·   Snowflakes are pretty active during the day. They tend to push themselves up in the air, causing a jump-like movement. As they tend to “jump” often, keeping the enclosure’s height at a reasonable height will be better.

Feeding

Snowflakes maintain a feeding habit similar to every other springtail. They are omnivores and detritivores. So, they consume everything, including animal matter, plant matter, decaying matter, etc.

Some of the most common food items that the Snowflake Springtails consume are as follows.

·       Fungus

·       Spores

·       Pollen

·       Plant material

·       Animal remains

·       Colloidal materials

·       Bacteria

·       Minerals

They usually prefer nutritious meals. The caregiver should pay enough attention to include as many nutrients as possible in the springtails' daily diet. Leaf litter is a significant part of the springtail’s diet. Keeping leaf litter on the enclosure surface provides both shelter and food for the springtails.

Appearance and Behavior

Appearance

These springtails are very small, usually growing around 2 millimeters long. They are white, hence the name. Snowflake Springtails are primarily found in cold climates, so their white color helps them blend with their surroundings.

The highlight of a Snowflake Springtail's appearance is the fork-like appendage at the back end of its body. This part of its body helps it move. The sudden movements of the fork-like part help the springtails to jump into the air.

Behavior

Snowflake Springtails are pretty active creatures. However, they may act shy around unfamiliar surroundings. So, it is possible for them to not come out on the surface of the enclosure on the initial days.

They also have certain concealed habits. If the surroundings are not moist enough, they are likely to remain under any shade or shelter, such as leaf litter.

The jumping behavior of these springtails is quite exclusive. They use a fork-like part of their body to project themselves into the air, mimicking a jumping motion. The jumping motion and their characteristic white color make them an exciting addition to any enclosure.

Habitat

As mentioned, moisture is the most vital factor for the survival of Snowflake Springtails. So, when building a habitat or enclosure for them, the key consideration should be bringing maximum moisture into it.

Snowflake Springtails do not enjoy low humidity. In fact, low humidity can make it hard for them to live in a place. So, keeping a reasonable humidity inside a Snowflake Springtail enclosure is advisable.

Airing the enclosure is a must when rearing Snowflake Springtails. A fan inside the enclosure is advisable to help keep the air moving, and a dehumidifier is also helpful to create a comfortable environment for the springtails.

Mulches, damp leaves, etc., will be a great addition to the surface of the Springtails enclosure. Windows at a reasonable height are a great choice to ensure maximum airflow inside the enclosure.

Snowflake Springtails: Substrate Mix

The substrate mix for a their enclosure should be capable of retaining as much moisture as possible. Coco fiber, mulch, and damp leaves are some excellent options to mix with the substrate mix for maximum benefits for the Snowflake Springtails.

The caregiver should water the surface of the substrate mix pretty often. It is important for these springtails not to come in contact with any dry spots, so it is advisable to wet the entire substrate surface whenever there is a lack of moisture.