South African Cave Cricket vs Giant Cave Springtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South African Cave Cricket Giant Cave Springtail
Scientific Name Speleiacris tabulae Tomocerus minor
Order Orthoptera Collembola
Family Rhaphidophoridae Tomoceridae
Size 12-18 mm 3-4.5 mm
Habitat Caves Caves
Diet Fungus Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions South Africa Europe
Conservation Vulnerable Least Concern

South African Cave Cricket

A cave cricket endemic to caves on the Cape Peninsula of South Africa. It has reduced eyes and pale brown coloration.

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Did You Know?

It is one of very few cave crickets known from the African continent.

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.