At first glance, Temperate Springtails look tiny and insignificant, but they play a big role in nature and maintain the ecosystem like isopods do. They contribute majorly to the well-being of the health of the environment and soil by giving microbes a proper ambiance to grow and thrive. Not region-particular, you can easily spot these springtails in almost all parts of the world, and they often intrigue people having an interest in reptiles, amphibians, or terrariums. If you are intrigued to own them as pets, we suggest you read this post so you can learn more about their care and requirements.

Temperate Springtails: A Glimpse

• Origin: Worldwide

• Scientific Name: Folsomia candida

• Difficulty: Easy

• Rarity: Not rare

• Temperature: 18°C to 27°C

• Size: Up to 1-4 mm

• Humidity: 50-70%

• Favorable Foods: Decaying organic matter, mold, fungi, plant material, pollen, bacteria

An Overview

Members of the Collembola group, these tiny creatures are found worldwide, but more in commonly in tropical climates where decaying organic material is available in plenty. 

Unlike other species, they are easy to care for and maintain, so you don’t have to monitor them 24/7 if that’s what you are concerned about. As nature’s clean-up crew, they break down waste and mold in the wild and contribute to the ecosystem despite being so tiny.

Temperate Springtails: Basic Care

Here are some basic care tips for your springtails:

• Since temperate springtails are low maintenance, you don’t need to do much to keep them happy and healthy except provide a comfortable bioactive enclosure so they can live and breed peacefully.

• You can use a glass jar or a plastic container if it has tiny holes and offers proper ventilation so your springtails can breathe and function properly.

• Place a few inches of the damp substrate inside the enclosure so the moisture levels are stable and your springtails live comfortably without issues.

• Keep the container in a room and ensure the temperature doesn’t exceed 18-27°C, as this is not good for their health and can cause problems like reduced body size, delayed reproduction, and heat shock.

Temperate Springtails: Feeding

It doesn’t take much effort to feed Temperate Springtails, which is why beginners prefer them more than other species. Their eating habit consists of decaying plant material, pollen, mold, fungi, and bacteria when they are living on their own, and they source all important nutrients required for their growth. When keeping them in captivity, you must ensure to feed them the same.

Temperate Springtails: Appearance & Behaviour

• Temperate springtails are generally white or greyish and have a soft, oval body that simultaneously makes them unique and vulnerable. Unlike other species, they don’t have wings but a furcula that helps them flip their bodies in the air and escape danger if attacked.

• Even though they are so small, they often bounce around on the soil and look for food in their surroundings. In captivity, you will see them crawling through substrate quickly or staying hidden in moist, dark areas so nobody can see or disturb them.

• They are harmless to humans and animals as they don’t bite or cause any damage if that’s what you are worried about.

Temperate Springtails: Habitat

Temperate Springtails thrive in moist, dark environments and need a continuous food supply to eat whenever they want and not starve. They love to live in the damp soil, under leaf litter, or rotting wood when they are on their own. The information is vital as you will have to create the same space using the same materials to not keep them from thriving. Ensure the bioactive setup has natural materials like coconut fiber, leaf litter, moss, and small pieces of bark so they have plenty of spots to hide and explore.

Temperate Springtails: Substrate Mix

Substrate mix plays a vital role in their development and if you are concerned for the same, a substrate mix containing charcoal, coconut fiber, leaf litter, and sphagnum moss is a must because it creates a healthy environment for your springtails to thrive and breed, just like in the wild. Placing clay balls or lava rocks at the bottom is good for drainage and keeps the terrarium clean and fit for your springtails to live in.