Springtails & Sowbugs in Cham vivs

[bigjimbear]

Hi , there, I saw where someone said that a colony of Springtails, and one of sowbugs in the viv can help in the natural breakdown of unremoved contaminants. Is this a good idea? Also, apart from being English, and not recognising either name, I don`t know anything about bugs. Someone tells me they think a Sowbug is a Woodlouse, but as to the Springtails, does anyone know if we have them here, and if so where would I find them lurking around? Thanks.

 

[kinyonga]

http://www.pestcontrolcanada.com/INSECTS/pill_bugs_sow_bugs.htm#Pill
http://www.pestcontrolcanada.com/sow_bugs.htm

Don't know if they are found in England or not...but I do know that your chameleons will likely eat them. I don't know if the carry parasites that would be harmful to your chameleon or not.

 

[Fidel]

Springtails break down fungus, rotting vegitation etc., people put them in dart frog terrariums for this reason and the frogs will eat them as well. You can order them from most dart frog specialty sites.

 

[nightcrawler]

i have seen these bugs in pygmy chams tanks. because they have dirt and all that they eat the poop that your cham makes. i imagine pygmy chams cages will be hard to clean otherwise. i dont think that they are harmfull.

 

[nash]

Springtails break down fungus, rotting vegitation etc., people put them in dart frog terrariums for this reason and the frogs will eat them as well. You can order them from most dart frog specialty sites.

This is the reason people sue them. Pygmy cam poop will also act a afertilizer in a well planted tank with a proper substrate depth. 4+ inches.