Leaf Litter Animals

Leaf litter, which consists of the dead leaves and other debris that fall to the floor of a forest, is a home for many living things.

The top layer of litter, which makes up a few centimeters, is known as the litter layer or litter horizon. It contains the leaves that have fallen most recently. Most of these can still be easily identified.

Below the litter layer is a layer known as the fermenting layer or fermenting horizon.

The leaves here are more compact. Some of them are recognizable, but many are already rotting.

The fermenting horizon may be several centimeters thick.

The third, lowest layer (or horizon) is known as the humus.

It is dark brown or black and contains remains of plants and animals that have completely rotted.

Leaf litter contains millions of microscopic organisms, including bacteria, fungi and single-celled plants.

Larger animals can be found in the leaf litter as well.

Wolf spiders in leaf litter are carnivores that  run after their prey. They do not make webs.

They are often found in the floors of drier forests.

Some small spiders that spin webs also live in leaf litter.

Some species of harvestmen, often known as harvest spiders or daddy longlegs, have adapted to the leaf litter habitat by evolving shorter legs. They will devour any animals they can catch. Harvestmen also eat animal droppings and the bodies of animals that have died recently.

Large quantities of mites can often be found in leaf litter. They live in all the layers of litter, feeding on debris and beginning the decay process.