Head louse

Natural Habitat

Exclusively on the human scalp and hair.

Diet & Feeding

Human blood, which they obtain by biting the scalp and feeding multiple times a day.

Behavior Patterns

Head lice spend their entire life cycle on the human scalp, holding onto hair shafts with specialized claws. They cannot fly or jump, and typically spread through direct head-to-head contact. Females lay 3-10 eggs (nits) per day, cemented to the hair shaft close to the scalp. Nits hatch in about 7-10 days, and nymphs mature in another 7-10 days, becoming adult lice.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include intense itching, skin irritation, and secondary bacterial infections from scratching. They do not transmit diseases. There are no known benefits to humans or the ecosystem.

Identified on: 9/2/2025