Flea

Natural Habitat

Fleas are found globally and inhabit the fur or feathers of warm-blooded animals such as mammals and birds. Their eggs, larvae, and pupae are often found in bedding, carpets, cracks in floors, and other sheltered areas within the host's environment.

Diet & Feeding

Adult fleas feed solely on the blood of their hosts. Larval fleas feed on organic debris, including the faeces of adult fleas (which contain digested blood).

Behavior Patterns

Fleas are ectoparasites, meaning they live on the outside of their hosts. They are known for their impressive jumping ability, which allows them to move between hosts. They lay eggs on the host, which then fall off into the environment, developing into larvae and then pupae before emerging as adult fleas.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Fleas can cause itching, skin irritation, and allergies in their hosts. They can also transmit diseases such as the bubonic plague (via the oriental rat flea) and murine typhus. They are also intermediate hosts for tapeworms (e.g., Dipylidium caninum) that can infect pets and occasionally humans. Benefits: Generally, fleas are considered pests and offer no direct benefits to humans, though they are a food source for some predatory insects and arachnids.

Identified on: 8/29/2025