Springtails - Colony

Springtails are one of the most useful additions to any bioactive vivarium or terrarium. Available in a pre-pack or bulk 1L option, this live culture gives keepers a ready-to-use cleaner crew — or a reliable live food source for small reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.

What Springtails Do

These tiny insects work continuously through a bioactive enclosure, consuming mould, waste, and decaying organic matter before it becomes a problem. Because they are small and fast-moving, larger reptiles and amphibians rarely catch them, making them an effective long-term cleaner crew rather than an instant food source. For smaller species — dart frogs, mourning geckos, and similarly sized invertebrates — they also serve as a nutritious and appropriately sized live food.

Packaging and Condition on Arrival

Springtails are dispatched directly from the breeder and arrive in a ventilated plastic container with perforated sides to keep airflow high and escape risk low. The base of the tub is lined with a nutrient-rich, soil-based substrate that supports the colony from the moment it arrives. The culture typically begins hatching in transit and should be fully established within a week of delivery.

Keeping the Culture Going

To maintain the health and nutritional value of your springtails, feeding them on a dedicated springtail diet is recommended. A well-fed culture reproduces consistently and provides a sustained population for ongoing enclosure maintenance or feeding rotations.

Choosing the Right Option

The pre-pack suits keepers setting up a new bioactive enclosure or supplementing an existing colony, while the bulk 1L pack is well suited to larger setups or those maintaining multiple vivaria. Choose the size that matches the scale of your build and the number of animals you're keeping.