Springtails

tiny creatures · jumpers · hexapods

Six-legged jumpers. Springtails have six legs like insects, but they are not actually insects. Scientists put them in their own special group because their mouths are hidden inside their heads instead of sticking out.

Built-in catapult. Springtails have a special forked tail tucked under their body that acts like a spring. When they flip it down suddenly, it launches them high into the air to escape danger.

Mega diverse group. There are more than 9,000 different species of springtails living all around the world. They come in many colors and sizes, from pale white to bright purple.

Ancient family tree. Springtails belong to a group called Entognatha, which shares the planet with insects but evolved on a different branch. They have been hopping around since ancient times.