How do springtails jump when they have no wings?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How do springtails jump when they have no wings?

The Big Idea

Springtails have no wings. But they can fling themselves through the air! Their secret is a tail that works like a spring.

Tucked Tail

Step one: Tucked Tail. A springtail has a little tail-like part tucked under its belly. It is held in place like a spring.

Snap!

Step two: Snap!. When it gets scared, the tail is released and flicks against the ground. That flings the springtail into the air in a flash.

Tiny Neighbors

Step three: Tiny Neighbors. Springtails are tiny six-legged animals that live in soil and leaf litter. They eat fungi and rotting bits of leaves.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! It has six tiny legs. Its tail works like a spring. It eats fungi. It lives in leaf litter.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! A springtail can leap many times its own body length. There can be huge numbers of springtails in just a small patch of soil. Some springtails, called snow fleas, hop on snow in late winter. The jump happens faster than you can blink.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Draw a springtail with its spring-like tail tucked under. Then draw it again with the tail released. Add a dotted line to show its jump. How far could it go? Share your drawings with a friend.

Outro

Springtails jump without wings by snapping a spring-like tail from under their belly against the ground, flinging themselves into the air in a flash. Science is amazing! The world under your feet is full of surprises. Keep digging into big questions, and keep exploring with me! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!