Milder temperatures awaken snow fleas in northern Ontario
Digital Reporter
Tuesday, March 10, 2015, 5:26 PM - North Bay, Ont. resident Jim Middleton noticed a peculiar thing in the snow Tuesday.
Dozens of tiny, black dots punctuated the snow -- moving about and leaping into the air.
The specks in question are actually snow fleas or springtails, and they can often be seen on snowy surfaces when temperatures are mild.
"They are also one of the reasons [for] the saying 'mother always said - don't eat the snow, even the white stuff!'" says Middleton, who took the video above and uploaded it to theweathernetwork.com.
According to Middleton, the fleas were "out in abundance" Tuesday, likely enjoying the above-freezing temperatures in the area.
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These insects are harmless and do not bite.
Snow fleas contain a protein that works like anti-freeze, preventing the formation of ice crystals in their tissues and allowing them to survive in sub-zero temperatures.
Researchers are particularly interested in them.
Scientists hope the protein found in the insects can one day be used to provide more efficient storage for transplant organs and to make better ice cream.
