Giant Cave Springtail vs Seashore Springtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Cave Springtail Seashore Springtail
Scientific Name Tomocerus minor Anurida maritima
Order Collembola Collembola
Family Tomoceridae Neanuridae
Size 3-4.5 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Caves Beaches & Coastal
Diet Wood Feeders Omnivores
Regions Europe Europe, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Giant Cave Springtail

One of the larger springtails in Europe, often found in caves and damp cellars. It has a distinctive metallic sheen on its body.

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Did You Know?

It can jump up to 100 times its body length using its spring-loaded furca.

Seashore Springtail

A dark blue-black springtail found in dense clusters on rocky seashores at low tide. It survives tidal submersion by trapping air in its body hairs.

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Did You Know?

It can survive being submerged by the tide for hours by breathing trapped air bubbles.