Flea

Natural Habitat

Fleas are found globally, inhabiting the fur or feathers of various animals (dogs, cats, rodents, birds, etc.) and their immediate environments, such as bedding, carpets, upholstered furniture, and cracks in floors, where their eggs, larvae, and pupae develop.

Diet & Feeding

Adult fleas are obligate hematophagous parasites, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of their mammalian and avian hosts. Larval fleas feed on organic debris, including adult flea feces (which contain undigested blood).

Behavior Patterns

Fleas are excellent jumpers, able to leap great distances relative to their size. They are parasitic and spend most of their adult lives on a host, feeding on blood. Their life cycle includes egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages, with significant time spent in the environment off the host, especially in the larval and pupal stages. They are nocturnal and are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide emitted by potential hosts.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Fleas are significant pests. Their bites can cause itching, skin irritation, allergic reactions (flea allergy dermatitis), and secondary bacterial infections in humans and animals. They are also known vectors for diseases such as bubonic plague (Yersinia pestis, primarily via rat fleas), murine typhus, and serve as intermediate hosts for tapeworms (e.g., Dipylidium caninum). Benefits: In some ecosystems, they may play a minor role in nutrient cycling as decomposers of organic matter (larval stage), but their overall impact is overwhelmingly negative due to their parasitic nature and disease transmission capabilities.

Identified on: 8/29/2025