How do springtails obtain their name?

Springtails, scientifically known as Collembola, derive their name from the unique structure called the "furcula," which is a forked appendage located on the underside of their abdomen. This furcula acts like a spring; when the springtail is threatened or disturbed, it can release this appendage, enabling it to jump or leap away from danger. This remarkable jumping ability is not only a means of evasion but also helps facilitate movement across surfaces. The connection between their jumping action and their name is fundamental to understanding their behavior and physiology.

The other aspects, such as crawling ability, coloration, or habitat preferences, do not have the same direct relevance to the etymology of their name. While springtails may exhibit various colors or live in specific habitats, these characteristics do not fundamentally contribute to the definition of their name in the same way that their leaping ability does.