Flea (likely a cat flea or dog flea due to commonality)

Natural Habitat

Fleas thrive in warm, humid environments. They are typically found on the bodies of their hosts (mammals and birds), but their eggs, larvae, and pupae develop in carpets, bedding, cracks in flooring, and soil where hosts rest.

Diet & Feeding

Adult fleas feed exclusively on the blood of their animal hosts (hematophagy). Larvae feed on organic debris, including adult flea feces ("flea dirt"), dander, and food particles.

Behavior Patterns

Fleas are wingless insects known for their exceptional jumping ability. They are obligate parasites, spending their adult lives on a host, feeding, mating, and laying eggs. Eggs fall off the host into the environment, where larvae hatch and pupate. The pupal stage can remain dormant for extended periods until a suitable host is detected by vibrations, heat, or CO2.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Fleas cause itching, skin irritation, and allergic reactions (flea allergy dermatitis). They can transmit diseases such as murine typhus and plague (though less common in modern developed countries) and are intermediate hosts for tapeworms (e.g., Dipylidium caninum). Benefits: As parasites, they largely have negative impacts from a human perspective, but they play a role in the food chain for other insects and animals that prey on them.

Identified on: 9/17/2025