Snow Flea

Scientific Name: Hypogastrura nivicola

Order & Family: Poduromorpha: Hypogastruridae

Size: 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters

Snow Flea

Natural Habitat

Leaf litter, soil, and on the surface of snow near the base of trees.

Diet & Feeding

Consumes decaying organic matter, fungal spores, algae, and bacteria.

Behavior Patterns

Active during winter; they appear on snow to find food as it melts. They jump using a specialized tail-like appendage called a furcula.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans and pets. They are beneficial decomposers that help recycle nutrients into the soil.

Identified on: 12/31/2025