Flea

Found on the bodies of mammals (dogs, cats, humans) and birds; nests, bedding, carpets, and cracks in floors where hosts live.

Hematophagous (blood-feeding); adults feed exclusively on the blood of their host animals.

Holometabolous lifecycle (egg, larva, pupa, adult). Known for their incredible jumping ability due to specialized hind legs. Larvae feed on organic debris and adult flea feces.

Risks: Bites cause itching, irritation, and allergic dermatitis. Vectors for diseases like typhus, cat scratch disease, and historically the plague. Can transmit tapeworms.