springtail
Tiny leaping arthropod
A springtail is a tiny wingless insect-like arthropod found in soil, leaf litter, and other moist environments.
Springtails get their name from a forked appendage on the abdomen that snaps downward to launch the creature into the air when disturbed.
They feed on decaying organic matter and are among the most abundant land animals on Earth, though rarely noticed due to their size.
Jointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- hexapodSix-legged arthropod
- entomologyStudy of insects
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
antenna · setae · molting · instar · cuticle · species · biodiversity · fauna
Eats dead organic material
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- decayGradual organic breakdown
organic matter · humus · microbial · carbon cycle · ecosystem · compost · leaf litter · rotting
Extremely small in size
- minusculeExtremely small in size
- minuteSixtieth of an hour
- diminutiveVery small, or nickname form
- millimeterThousandth of a meter
speck · barely visible · mite · magnification · microscope · cryptic · inconspicuous
Decayed organic soil matter
- leaf litterDecomposing ground debris
- topsoilNutrient-rich surface earth
- loamFertile soil mixture
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
organic matter · compost · mulch · aeration · porosity · microhabitat · moisture · decaying wood
Abundantly full of
- swarmingGathering in large numbers
- countlessToo numerous to count
- myriadExtremely large number
- numerousExisting in great quantity
ubiquitous · prolific · colonies · aggregation · dense · populations · widespread · common
arthropod
Jointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- hexapodSix-legged arthropod
- entomologyStudy of insects
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
exoskeleton · antenna · setae · molting · instar · cuticle · species · biodiversity · fauna
detritivore
Eats dead organic material
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
decay · organic matter · humus · microbial · carbon cycle · ecosystem · compost · leaf litter · rotting · soil health
tiny
Extremely small in size
- minusculeExtremely small in size
- minuteSixtieth of an hour
- diminutiveVery small, or nickname form
millimeter · speck · barely visible · mite · magnification · microscope · cryptic · inconspicuous
humus
Decayed organic soil matter
- leaf litterDecomposing ground debris
- topsoilNutrient-rich surface earth
- loamFertile soil mixture
substrate · organic matter · compost · mulch · aeration · porosity · microhabitat · moisture · decaying wood · forest floor
teeming
Abundantly full of
numerous · ubiquitous · prolific · colonies · aggregation · dense · populations · widespread · common · snow flea
leap
Sudden springing movement
propel · launch · escape · reflex · snap · flick · dispersal · evasion
- Arctic wildlifepolar bear, arctic fox, arctic tern, snowy owl, muskox
- bugsbeetle, cricket, bug, firefly, cockroach
- tiny insectsant, flea, gnat, mite, louse
- Jumpersfrog, kangaroo, grasshopper, flea, rabbit
- garden pestsaphids, aphid, caterpillars, spider mite, slugs
- jumping insectsgrasshopper, cricket, flea, leafhopper, froghopper