Cat Flea / Common Flea

Natural Habitat

Found globally; typically lives on host animals (cats, dogs, humans) or in carpets, bedding, and floor cracks where hosts rest.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages; adults feed exclusively on the blood of mammals and birds.

Behavior Patterns

Wingless, laterally flattened for moving through hair/fur, and equipped with powerful hind legs for jumping. They undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult) and can remain dormant in the pupal stage for months until a host is detected.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include skin irritation, allergic dermatitis, and the transmission of tapeworms or bacterial diseases like murine typhus. They offer no beneficial ecosystem services in human environments and are considered a significant domestic pest.

Identified on: 12/30/2025