Tropical vs Temperate Springtails: Which Is Right for Your Setup?
Tropical springtails (Folsomia candida) thrive in warm, humid enclosures like dart frog vivariums and most reptile and amphibian setups, while temperate springtails (Sinella curviseta and similar) stay active in cooler conditions. Choose based on your enclosure’s temperature.
Both types do the same essential job — grazing mould and decaying matter — but they suit different climates. Here’s how to pick.
What’s the difference?
The main difference is temperature tolerance. Tropical springtails breed fastest in the warm, humid conditions (around 22–28°C) typical of tropical vivariums. Temperate springtails remain active and breed at lower temperatures, where tropical species would slow down or stall.
When to choose tropical springtails
Choose tropical springtails for warm, humid setups: dart frog vivariums, tropical isopod enclosures, and most heated reptile and amphibian bioactive builds. They’re the default choice for the majority of keepers and reproduce rapidly in warm conditions.
When to choose temperate springtails
Choose temperate springtails for cooler enclosures — bioactive tortoise tables, cooler terrariums, or unheated rooms — where they stay active at temperatures that would slow a tropical culture. They’re also handy if you keep cultures at room temperature in a cooler UK home.
Can you mix them?
You can keep both in the same vivarium, and whichever species is best suited to the conditions will tend to dominate. Many keepers simply pick the one that matches their setup. If you’re new to springtails, our Springtail Care Guide covers housing and breeding for both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tropical springtails (Folsomia candida) are the standard choice for warm, humid vivariums such as dart frog and most reptile or amphibian setups. They breed fastest in the warmth these enclosures provide.
Yes. Temperate springtails stay active and keep breeding at lower temperatures, making them a better fit for tortoise tables, cooler terrariums, unheated rooms, or room-temperature cultures in a cool home.
Yes — they coexist, and whichever species best suits the temperature will naturally dominate. Most keepers just choose the type that matches their enclosure rather than mixing them deliberately.
Browse tropical and temperate springtail cultures at Bioactive Bugs UK, all bred in the UK and despatched quickly.