Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,
I noticed some small white/greyish colored bugs in the subtrate and was wondering if they are those wood mites? I have not seen any on my snake or lizards but I have noticed a few in the lizard cage and like ONE in my snake cage. For the lizard subtrate I am using that repti-bark stuff since it holds humidity better and for the snake I am using aspen. Now I checked my snake and did not see anything moving and was looking for 'moving pepper specks'. I checked my lizards and didnt see anything either. My question is are those little white/grey colored insects harmfull to my reptiles?? I noticed I only get these things around the water dish if the water spills or if the subtrate in the lizard tank gets to much mist.

Thanks in advance for any info.

yep, Springtails, Little guys, they hang in the moist areas especially under plant pots !

If it is them, they do not harm reptiles. They eat plant matter, fungi and debris. Anyway here is a site that talks about them, but not in reptile tanks, :0) In alot of places where it is damp.

I used to have them in my redeye tree frog tanks.

Just thought you may be interested in knowing about them!

http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/iiin/sprinta.html

Sure sounds like thats what ya have. Take care!
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Eve

Thanks a lot eve! I definately read about them althought these little buggers in my tank haven't jumped at all,not that I noticed. I didn't think I had mites or they would have been on the reptiles. Thanks for the info.I always want to know more