Wildlife Wednesday 01/15/2025

Happy #WildlifeWednesday!

To some people one of the best parts of a cold Ohio winter is the lack of irritating bugs and biting creepy crawlies. However, one small critter that is cold tolerant and makes a noticeable appearance in the winter is the snow flea! Native to North America, these tiny dark blue and black creatures can be seen hopping around in the snow and ice, especially near the base of trees.

Snow fleas are not actually fleas and technically are not classified as insects, but rather as hexapods, a type of arthropod. These wingless beings are often referred to as springtails, due to their ability to jump (relatively) long distances, covering several inches in a single bound. They use a tail-like appendage called a furcula to propel themselves through the air, zooming a distance hundreds of times the lengths of their bodies.

During the warm summer months snow fleas are abundant but mostly go unnoticed, blending in with the ground and leaf litter. They are decomposers and stay busy munching, breaking down plant and animal matter to make healthy soil. During the winter they stand out against the white backdrop, especially when jumping around in snow banks. Their bodies are able to produce a type of antifreeze that allows them to stay active, even in extreme cold.

Snow fleas do not bite or sting and are not parasitic, so if you see them outside it is no cause for alarm, and is in fact a good sign that the ecosystem is healthy with plenty of organic material for them to consume. And their leaping acrobatics are fun to watch!