Snow Fleas, Springtails

Found on snow surfaces during winter thaws, often in wooded areas. They live in soil, leaf litter, and under bark for most of the year.

Primarily feed on decaying organic matter, fungi, algae, and sometimes bacteria found on the snow surface or in the soil.

Collembola are known for their ability to 'spring' into the air using a furcula (a tail-like appendage). They are active in cold temperatures, even below freezing, due to a natural antifreeze-like protein. They often aggregate in large numbers on snow.

Snow fleas are harmless to humans and do not bite or transmit diseases. They are beneficial decomposers in the ecosystem, playing an important role in breaking down organic matter and cycling nutrients in soil.