Keeping Vibrant Red Springtails - Care, Habitat, and Where to Buy

An Introduction to Keeping Red Springtails

Springtails, also known as collembola, are tiny hexapod arthropods that get their name from their unique springing organ called a furcula. There are over 9,000 described species worldwide, and they can be found in a variety of colors. Red springtails are especially striking and make an excellent addition to a terrarium or vivarium.

The Benefits of Keeping Red Springtails

Here are some of the main benefits of keeping red springtails:

• They help break down decaying plant material and fungi, contributing to a cleanup crew for the enclosure.
• Their bright red coloration adds a pop of color and visual interest.
• They are harmless and completely safe for habitats with plants, amphibians, and reptiles.
• They are easy to culture at home and breed rapidly, so only a small starter colony is needed.
• Watching them bounce around and jump can be entertaining.

Good Enclosure Options for Red Springtails

Red springtails do best in moist, tropical environments. Here are some good terrarium and vivarium options for them:

• Tropical plant terrariums - Their cleanup services help break down dead plant material.
• Frog and toad enclosures - They can serve as a food source and help keep the habitat clean.
• Gecko tanks - Clean up waste and shed skin in crested gecko or day gecko enclosures.
• Salamander tanks - Help recycle waste and food for species like red-backed salamanders.
• Arachnid habitats - Help clean up spider or centipede homes.

Avoid housing red springtails with carnivorous species that may view them as food. They prefer humid environments in the 70-80% range.

Setting Up the Right Habitat

To set up a suitable home for red springtails, follow these tips:

• Use an enclosure with adequate ventilation, like a glass terrarium or plastic container.
• Add a comfortable 2-4 inches of moist substrate, such as coconut fiber, sphagnum moss, or organic potting soil.
• Include hiding spots like pieces of cork, bark, or leaf litter.
• Plant live or artificial plants and vines for added coverage.
• Mist regularly to maintain high humidity.
• Provide springtail food like vegetable scraps, mushrooms, algae wafers, or fish food.

Cleaning is easy - just remove any uneaten food remnants. Their population will grow to match their food supply.

Sourcing Red Springtails

There are a few options for obtaining starter colonies of red springtails:

• Purchase them online from specialty breeders and dealers.
• Harvest them from backyard compost piles or leaf litter.
• Get them from other hobbyists that culture springtails.
• Find them for sale at local reptile shows or exotic pet stores.

When sourcing springtails, avoid field collecting them from areas with pesticide use. Research their scientific name Folsomia candida to find captive bred red varieties.

Caring for Red Springtails

Caring for red springtails is relatively simple. Follow these tips for success:

• Feed them 1-2 times per week with vegetable matter, fish food, algae wafers, or mushrooms.
• Mist the enclosure daily to maintain high humidity.
• Provide adequate ventilation to prevent mold growth.
• Clean uneaten food weekly and spot clean waste.
• Occasionally add new substrate, plants, or leaf litter to replenish nutrients.
• Supplement with calcium powder for optimal exoskeleton growth.

Avoid overfeeding, as excess uneaten food can lead to molds that can crash a springtail culture. Their optimal temperature range is 60-80°F.

Breeding Red Springtails

Red springtails are very prolific and easy to breed. Here's how to get them thriving:

• Keep their habitat humid and well-fed.
• Make sure their substrate never dries out fully.
• Start with at least 20-30 individuals so they can find mates.
• Supply egg crates or soft wood for depositing eggs.
• Harvest excess populations regularly to fuel growth.
• Introduce new genetics every few generations to avoid decline.

With the right setup, a hatchling-sized starter colony can produce thousands of red springtails in only a few months. Their quick generation time means exponential population growth.

Finding Red Springtails For Sale

For those looking to purchase live red springtails, here are some top vendors to find quality specimens:

Online Sellers

Several online retailers offer starter colonies of red springtails shipped directly to your door:

• Josh's Frogs - Offers deals on beginner springtail kits.
• NeHerp - Sells cultures of giant red springtails.
• BambooZoo - Good for buying feeder quantities.
• UC San Diego Math Microfarm - Educational and research supplier.

These sellers offer affordable shipping on springtails, making online purchasing simple. Bulk quantities are available.

Reptile Stores and Expos

Many brick-and-mortar reptile specialty shops also carry springtails seasonally:

• Local pet stores - Call ahead to ask if they stock cleanup crews.
• Reptile expos - Find specialty vendors offering cultures.
• Aquarium stores - Some have red springtails for aquascape use.

The benefit of buying locally is no shipping, but selection is less predictable. Check under leaves and decor in terrariums to spot red springtails for sale.

Direct From Breeders

Dedicated springtail hobbyists often sell cultures directly as well. Options include:

• Check classified ads from local hobbyists and breeders.
• Join terrarium enthusiast groups to find sellers.
• Search social media for red springtail breeders.
• Post wanted ads in forums or on community boards.

Sourcing from nearby breeders can yield a great diversity of red color morphs. Ask to see the cultures and parent colonies if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are red springtails hard to care for?

Red springtails are quite easy to care for. They require only basic habitat needs like humidity, food, and darkness. Their rapid reproduction means colony collapse is rare. They are more forgiving than many other exotic pet invertebrates.

How small are red springtails?

Standard red springtail species reach 1-3mm in size at maturity. However, larger varieties like Folsomia candida "giants" may reach 5-8mm. Their tiny size allows large populations in small enclosures.

Are red springtails safe for plants?

Yes, red springtails are completely safe with live plants. They help break down dead plant material and fungus, contributing beneficial nutrients to plant root systems. Their small size prevents damage to roots or leaves.

What do red springtails eat?

Red springtails are not picky eaters. In captivity they thrive on vegetable scraps, mushroom slices, fish food, algae wafers, decomposing leaf litter, and calcium powder. Varied diet leads to faster growth and reproduction.

Can red springtails jump?

Red springtails use an appendage called a furcula to jump several inches into the air, especially when startled. Their springing ability gives them their common name and allows quick escape from predators.

Do red springtails bite humans?

No, red springtails do not bite or pose any harm to humans. They have no venom, stingers, or mandibles capable of breaking skin. At worst, their feet may tickle if walking on skin. They are completely harmless to handle.

FAQs

How many red springtails should I start with?

Begin with at least 20-30 red springtails to establish a healthy breeding colony. Numbers will expand rapidly from there. Smaller founding groups may struggle to locate mates.

What temperature is best for red springtails?

Red springtails do best at temperatures between 60-80°F. Avoid overheating their enclosure above 85°F. Cooler temperatures in the 50s slow reproduction but won't harm them.

Can I handle red springtails?

Yes, red springtails can be handled safely but are very tiny and quick. Scoop them gently or let them crawl onto your hand. Avoid crushing them by pressing too hard.

How can I harvest extra red springtails?

Use a spoon to gently scoop up clusters from the substrate into a temporary container. Never harvest more than 1/3 of the culture at once to maintain growth.

What if my red springtails start dying?

Rule out common issues like drying out, excess heat, mold growth, or overfeeding. Add supplemental food, moisture, or ventilation. Introducing new genetics from another source can helptoo.