Animal Profiles
Insects

Flea

Siphonaptera

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Fleas are wingless parasitic insects. This account follows the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis), a widespread species that can use several mammal hosts.

Magnified photograph of Ctenocephalides felis, the representative described here.

Magnified photograph of Ctenocephalides felis, the representative described here.

Andrei Savitsky · CC BY

At a glance

Location
Cat fleas occur wherever suitable hosts and conditions support their life cycle.
Habitat
Towns and cities
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Adults obtain blood by piercing a host's skin.

Classification

Common name
Flea
Browse group
Insects
Scientific name or taxon
Siphonaptera
Source classification
Insecta

Three things to know

  • Adults lack wings.
  • The body is compressed sideways.
  • Adults feed on mammal blood.

Habitat and range

Cat fleas occur wherever suitable hosts and conditions support their life cycle. Adults use cats and other mammals, while immature stages develop around host bedding and resting places.

Appearance and adaptations

The reddish-brown body is compressed from side to side. Strong hind legs support jumping, and backward-pointing structures help the flea remain among a host's hairs.

Diet and behaviour

Adults obtain blood by piercing a host's skin. Developing stages depend on the host's surrounding environment, so an infestation involves both the animal and the places where it rests.

Sources

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