Globular springtails jump and spin faster than any animal on earth?!

Globular springtails have been out in big numbers this year, so we've been bringing them into the lab and filming their jumps in slow motion, describing how they might be jumping and spinning faster than any other animal on earth!

References:

[diegodias]

I have been studying Symphypleona springtails for the past 10 years (I am finishing my PhD). Seeing these images caused me very good emotions. Thank you.

[АлексейТучак-мч]

One day i've been walking through the forest and I've found something like an car exhaust soot stain on the snow(it was in spring),
but the road was more like a footpath and I looked closer. The "soot" was tiny, jumping and numerous. Turned out to be springtails. And they have antifreeze proteins. That's why they feel ok jumping on the snow.

[ChiseledDiamond]

This is the cutest derpiest thing I have ever seen

[hlcepeda]

The springtail's 'globular' shape -- like an acrobat... tucked inward -- should help with the spin. If the magnus effect is in play, the direction of rotation (as shown in the video) would tend to force the springtail downward; that would limit the little fellow's max altitude, which may also serve to limit its 'airtime' (read: visibility) as a target for hungry birds. Just guessing!

[opabinnier]

By the way, FURCA is simply Latin for FORK which is neat: their spring-loaded appendages are indeed forked at the end.

[KathiLegge-pkwu]

I love your videos. I think you made a wise choice for your technical assistants. Glad I found your channel.

[mythplatypuspwned]

"You look like a pirate" lol

[rattlerboi]

I keep springtails and I'm very jealous that you have globular ones lol, they go pretty expensive in the hobby and are very cool

[hosler]

Love this. The footage of the springtail furca was particularly cool. Also, great cameraman.

[bluebowser]

I have a mixed species colony of red globular springtails and grey regular springtails living on the gravel of my pothos plant. They basically live their entire lives waiting for me to water the plant and some times I don't water it for up to a month. When i do it's always chlorinated water too! It amazes me they survive in such a hostile and specialized habitat.

[happymantis]

These videos have increased my appreciation ad love for springtails. They are now one of my favorite animals. Thank you so much!

[NashTurley]

I love springtails! very cool to see their jumps up close. I wonder what happens to their hemolymph with all that high-speed spinning?

[JEMHull-gfel]

I've never seen this variety of globular spring tail. They're the cutest I've seen.

[xznoman]

springtails are the right size for tiny spider food & I'm pretty sure they spin to deflect thrown webs and hooked grabbers of freshly hatched grass/wolf spiders. the rotation is crazy like jumping mice and kangaroo rats that don't actually know where they're going when they leap which works to their advantage because it's unpredictable for any critters trying to catch/eat them.

[rasubosu]

Springtails be like : “wanna see something cool 😎”

[derekfisher]

So cool. They're great for tarantula enclosures that contain humidity as well!

[williamwhitman]

I wouldn't want such a tail, personally. I could just see it now...
Me: Please don't walk up behind me and scare me, please don't walk up behind me and scare me.
My friends: Boo!
Me: Boing, spin, spin, spin, spin....
Friends: Laughing
Me: After hitting ground and bouncing, Please, don't do that again.
Tail: resets itself for next time.

[Bulbih]

Thanks to TierZoo i found this channel, amazing work keep going !
Greating from Belgium :)

[nickmuller]

hey your videos are amazing ! i dont know anything about insects and your way of offering information is simply sweet =)

[thelemonman]

I have a culture with springtails, and they keep jumping out and now I know why.