A recent additions to the pet springtails family is the Thai Red Springtails. Recently, enthusiasts and explorers have discovered this rare species in Thailand, bringing attention to their unique traits and origins.
Originating from Thailand, these springtails have quickly gained popularity among collectors. We encourage you to explore their natural habitat and learn more about their environmental needs to better understand how to care for them.
If you are planning to purchase a pet for the first time, you can choose Thai Red Springtails for their ease of care and fascinating behavior.
Thai Red Springtails are harmless creatures that are great to keep as family pets. Their miniature size, low maintenance, etc., make them the best pets for children. Springtails will be the right choice for anyone planning to purchase a pet for the first time.
Springtails are omnivores that eat anything from plants to dead matter. The only requirement that they need is food and shelter. So, you can leave them unattended with enough food, and they will survive just fine.
Due to the growing interest in springtails, more and more variety is being brought up. One of those recent additions to the pet springtails family is the Thai Red Springtails. They are famous for their bright red color and extremely small size.
Thai Red Springtails famous as show pets in terrariums. They are sourced from some of the highly humid spots of Asia, especially Thailand. Following is some detailed information on these springtails and instructions on properly caring for them.
Introduction to Springtails
Springtails are tiny arthropods that play a significant role in maintaining clean and healthy environments within bioactive setups, terrariums, and vivariums. These fascinating creatures are essential for breaking down organic matter, helping to control mold, and supporting the overall health of the ecosystem. In addition to their cleaning abilities, springtails serve as a nutritious food source for dart frogs, isopods, and other small animals, making them an indispensable part of any thriving vivarium.
To ensure optimal health and activity, springtails require consistently high humidity and warm temperatures, ideally between 75-85°F (24-29°C). Maintaining the right moisture levels is crucial—substrates should be kept moist but never waterlogged, as excess food and standing water can lead to mold and other issues. A combination of coconut fiber, sphagnum moss, and coconut coir creates an ideal substrate, allowing springtails to burrow, reproduce, and break down decaying plant matter efficiently.
By carefully managing humidity, food, and substrate composition, enthusiasts can maintain a vibrant, self-sustaining environment where springtails thrive. This not only supports the health of the springtails themselves but also contributes to the overall balance and cleanliness of the vivarium or terrarium.
Thai Red Springtails: A Glimpse
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Common Name: Thai Red Springtails
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Scientific Name: Lobellasp.
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Origin: Thailand
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Availability: Very Rare
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Level of Difficulty: Very easy
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Temperature: 74 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit
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Favourite Food: Fish flakes
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Package/Order Info: Each order includes a securely packaged culture of Thai Red Springtails.
Thai Red Springtails: An Overview
Thai Red springtails are originally from the humid parts of Thailand. They are one of those springtails that require an extremely high temperature and humidity to survive. Experts suggest keeping them in closed enclosures with temperatures between 74- and 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Maintaining a humid environment is crucial for their health and activity, as it supports their moisture needs and prevents dehydration. It is important to control temperature and humidity using tools like thermostats and hygrometers to ensure optimal conditions for the springtails.
They are popular as an exotic pet. But many collectors use them as the cleanup crew in terrariums. Although they are slow in crawling, they remain active throughout the day. They do not jump while crawling. But they can climb up well. Therefore, it is recommended to use a secure, well-fitting lid with proper ventilation to maintain humidity and prevent escapes.
Thai Red springtails are also famous for their appetite. They eat almost anything from plants, fruits, wood, decaying matter, etc. But their favorite food is tropical fish flakes.
They are also very fond of mold, fungus, and bacteria. They are keen to eat such microorganisms, so they are considered one of the best cleanup crews among the springtails.
Their candy red color is eye-catching. The color is one of the primary reasons why they remain the bestsellers for a while. Their body separates into segments.
They need to get enough moisture and humidity from their habitat. So, the substrate mix has to be damp enough. Keeping some dead matter or decaying pieces of wood around is also ideal.
Thai Red springtails have a rapid reproduction rate, allowing them to quickly establish thriving populations in suitable environments. Under optimal conditions, juveniles grow into adults, developing their vibrant coloration and reaching maturity. Adults play a key role in reproduction and are essential for maintaining and expanding the colony.
Species and Variations of Thai Red Springtails
Thai Red Springtails (Lobella sp.) stand out among springtail species for their vibrant red coloration and their ability to flourish in warm, humid environments. These red springtails are particularly prized in the world of bioactive setups for both their striking appearance and their effectiveness as a cleanup crew. The ideal
Thai Red Springtails: Habitat and Enclosure
Thai Red springtails are ideal to be kept anywhere in the world. However, preparing their enclosure and feeding routine to suit their basic needs is essential. You can use any containers or tanks, but a vivarium is an ideal controlled environment for Thai Red springtails, as it allows you to mimic their natural habitat with proper substrate, humidity, and temperature.
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These springtails make excellent companion pets. But, it is essential to introduce them to the enclosure first.
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It may take up to two weeks for the Thai Red springtails to get familiarized with the new surroundings.
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It is advisable to bring new pets like isopods to the enclosure only after the springtails are comfortable with the enclosure.
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After three to five weeks of keeping these springtails in the enclosure, they become fully functional and active.
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Spraying or watering the soil is crucial while keeping Thai Red springtails. They need the soil to be damp always. So, you have to water the soil at regular intervals.
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Always remember to keep these springtails in a closed enclosure. You can use any containers or tanks, but ensure they have lids.
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The lids are crucial because these springtails tend to follow the path of condensation and may climb out of the tank.
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Likewise, put no ventilation holes in the enclosure. These springtails will find them through the condensation remains and may climb out.
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You need not worry about them not having enough ventilation. As you open the enclosure occasionally to wet the soil, they will get ample airflow.
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While choosing companion pets for Thai Red springtails, ensure you are not buying any bigger insects that can harm the springtails. Because most insects consume springtails.
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These springtails are incredibly tiny in size. So, it is advisable to get them in groups to make the enclosure more pleasing to the eyes.
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Thai Red springtails are prone to mite infestation. Mites are various bugs that harm the springtails. So, you have to keep a close watch for the mites. Mites are small and round. If you spot any, make sure to clear them off.
Diet
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Thai Red springtails usually eat everything. But they prefer to have fish flakes, leaf litter, and decaying organic matter.
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These springtails have a significant appetite. So, keeping as much leaf litter and softwood bark in the enclosure as possible is advisable.
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Leaf litter also provides them with enough cover and hiding spots.
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Brewer’s yeast is another favorite food of these springtails. You can sprinkle the yeast every three days in reasonable amounts.
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Avoid adding too much yeast, as it can limit the amount of oxygen inside the enclosure.
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When you use water in the enclosure, it is ideal to use dechlorinated water.
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Thai Red springtails also prefer consuming various microorganisms. So, do not try to clean off the mold and fungus from the enclosure.
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These springtails usually breed within a couple of months. Please note, they need a lot of food when they are breeding and nursing. The newborns also prefer having enough food. So, make sure to increase the feeding frequency during breeding.
Substrate Mix
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You can use rich soil with sphagnum, peat, worm castings, bat guano, etc., as the ideal substrate mix for these springtails.
