Hello! I'm Ryne, founder and sole operator of Springtails US. I first started collecting springtails in 2021 because after being introduced to them through the terrarium hobby I realized what a wonderful overlooked animal they are. I collected

my local Illinois springtails and quickly garnered a lot of public interest in the previously unknown-to-the-hobby species I kept. This interest led me to open www.springtails.us in 2022 and Springtails US has since evolved to be not just a source for springtails but also a key source of knowledge for the springtail and bioactive hobbies as a whole!

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Today Springtails US is the driving force behind the springtail hobby in the United States. I also now proudly carry a large selection of isopods and terrarium supplies on top of the largest selection of springtails available anywhere. Springtails US has some of the best live animal shipping practices in the industry with just 0.57%* of orders placed reporting a DOA (Dead on Arrival). When you choose Springtails US you guarantee you will receive top quality animals and supplies all while supporting a passionate small business.

  (*percentage based on live animal orders placed between 12/4/23 and 11/17/24. Actual percentage: 0.5714%)

 

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When I started Springtails US there was essentially no springtail hobby. Collectors and bioactive enclosure enthusiasts were very limited in their options for springtails they could use. I am extremely grateful to see the species I introduced being used, recommended, and sold elsewhere. To all visitors of the website thank you so much for coming here to learn and for using Springtails US as your trusted source for cleanup crews and supplies! 

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A little about springtails:

Springtails are a diverse group of hexapods which are classified separately from insects and other groups. They are, for the most part, detritivores who feed on decaying organic matter, microbes, and fungi in nature. This is what makes them so useful in terrariums and bioactive enclosures; they break down matter into fertile soil and are one of those organisms who bring the cycles of nature full circle. Springtails are among the most abundant animals on land and have a rich diversity of over 9,500 described species with estimates being that there are 50,000 or more species in the world. Springtails fill many niches in the ecosystem with most being found in or just above the soil layer while some are specialized for life on the surface of water such as Podura aquatica or for life on and in wood like Vertagopus arboreus and others inhabit the more arid niches where moisture is scarce such as Willowsia nigromaculata. Many species prove to be difficult to keep in captivity and much is left to be learned about springtail husbandry and the ways that new species can be useful in bioactive enclosures or terrariums. We in the springtail hobby wish to crack these codes and to bring new interesting species into culture to be put to use as cleanup crews, subjects of scientific study, or to simply be kept as fascinating and fulfilling pets.

 

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The study of springtails, or Collembola, is known as Collembology. Collembologists research the springtails role in nature, their habits, anatomy, taxonomy, the way springtails are impacted by certain events or environments, and anything else related to these wonderful animals. I believe the springtail hobby has much to offer collembology. We learn new ways to keep and care for springtails, we find new species sometimes unknown to science, and we culture springtails never before cultured. I and many other hobbyists are frequently in touch with collembologists and already advancements have been made, especially in the area of photographing living or preserved specimens never before photographed. If you are interested in advancing collembology one of the easiest ways you can help is by sharing your springtail finds to places like iNaturalist or, if you are in the Nearctic, BugGuide. I also highly recommend joining the social media groups dedicated to springtails to get in on the conversation, ask questions, and share your discoveries. 

 

If you or someone you know is studying springtails academically please reach out if there is any way I can help!

 

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Springtails US is based out of Peru, Illinois. Contact me via email for any reason at ryne@springtails.us