The sound of my boots crunching loudly on the icey crust of snow in Wisconsin, in late February, is unusual. I should be needing my snowshoes for a hike in the woods today. I pause to smile at the chuckle-chirp of woodpecker chortle and hammer-rattle from a snag. Male Red-bellied Woodpeckers hold their territories year round and breeding activies begin in late winter.
A Red-bellied Woodpecker can stick out its tongue nearly 2 inches past the end of its beak. The tip is barbed and the bird’s spit is sticky, making it easier to snatch prey from deep crevices. Males have longer, wider-tipped tongues than females, possibly allowing a breeding pair to forage in slightly different places on their territory and maximize their use of available food.
Humm, sticky spit. Cool.
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It is a balmy 40 degrees and sunny with crisp blue sky splashing down through the naked branches. The daily shortened shadows on the snow are a deep slate blue today. I'm scanning the melted duff-rings and leaf litter around dead tree bases and fallen branches. I spot a large writhing sprinkle of blue-black pepper on the snow cover. Snow fleas, lovely elusive snow fleas.
They're not fleas though, but actually a primative arthropod called Collembola (kol-LEM-bo-la) or commonly called springtails which measure about 1/16 inch long. They have a very unique catapult system to get around. Two "tails" on their back end are tucked up underneath their belly, held in place by tiny "hooks." When the springtail wants to move, they just release the spring-loaded "tails," called furcula, which hit the snow and send them flying into the air. Since snow fleas can't conrol their flight or direction, they frequently land in the same spot or only a few inches away.
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Awkward way to get around, yes...maybe...maybe not? Yet, they evolved so long ago with a puzzling anti-freeze protein that may help harvested organs last longer and remain stronger for transplants. I'm impressed and awed.
For most of the year, snow fleas live their simple lives in leaf litter or hidden in the forest duff eating decaying vegetation, bacteria, fungi, algae, sap, pollen and microscopic animals. Predators of snow fleas include beetles, ants, mites, centipedes and salamanders.
I only see the delightful circus of millions of snow fleas on the snow crust of early spring and late winter. Why they're drawn to the snow crust is a mystery to me.
I slide my hand over the circus and gently blow on the snow crust. The springtails bounce into a flying frenzy. Some sprinkle my palm. They have no weight and can walk on a drop of water. I feel no sensation or tickle until their springer's spring and tickle. I am awed by the simplicity of their purpose and being.
Snow melts into my jeans, uncomfortably, which hurries me to wander back on our crunchy trail. The dogs rally to my whistle and lead me homeward with waving tails and lolling tongues. They pay no notice to my fleas. At home, I contemplate the joy of romping with snow fleas after a cup of hot coco and an oatmeal cookie.
snow fleas
by terry wheeler
millions of springtails
burst out of winters blanket
blue shadows on snow
Haiku and hot coco for everyone reading here.
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