Flea Facts
Flea Facts
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| Interesting Flea Facts: |
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| Flea can reach only 1/16 to 1/8 inch in length and 0.001 ounces of weight. Female are usually larger than males. |
| Most species of fleas are dark, reddish brown colored. Their body is covered with tiny, backward oriented hairs and spines. |
| Flies do not have wings. They have flat body protected with hard coat and three pairs of legs. Hind legs are used for jumping. |
| Flea can jump 8 inches in height and 13 inches in length. It can travel 150 to 200 body lengths in a single leap. Fleas are able to jump 30.000 times without pause in between the jumps. Unusual way of moving facilitates transfer from one host on another. |
| Mouths of adult fleas are tube-shaped and designed for sucking of blood. Fleas drink blood of humans, various mammals, birds and reptiles. Blood-based diet is scientifically known as hematophagy. |
| Flea is able to drink amount of blood that is 15 times bigger than its body weight (on a daily basis). Bite usually induces itching and redness. Flea is also able to transmit tapeworms and various viruses and bacteria into the blood of host. |
| Despite its huge appetite, adult flea can survive 100 days without food. |
| Unlike fully developed fleas, larvae eat pieces of skin, hair and droppings of adult flea. |
| Female flea lays 40 to 50 oval-shaped eggs per day. Eggs are often arranged in clumps composed of 20 eggs. Female is able to lay 2.000 to 5.000 eggs in a lifetime. |
| Life cycle of flea consists of 4 developmental stages: eggs, larvae, pupa and adult insect. |
| Life cycle can last from 14 days to 12 months, depending on the species and environmental conditions. Eggs hatch after 2 to 14 days. Larval stage lasts 1 to 2 weeks and leads to pupa, which lasts from few weeks to 8 months. Warmth, moisture, vibrations and adequate amount of carbon dioxide are triggers for development of adult flea. |
| Eggs, larvae and pupa are often found in the sofas, rugs and beds. Adult flea requires host for survival. |
| Flea can be frozen for a period of one year and still be able to return to life. |
| Idea of flea circus (miniature circus which features fleas) originates from the 16th century. |
| Most adult fleas live from 2 to 3 months. Some fleas are able to survive one or more years under optimal conditions. |
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