Flea

parasites · amazing jumpers · insects

Incredible jumpers. Fleas can leap 50 times their own body length, which is almost as impressive as froghoppers, the jumping champions of the insect world. That's like you jumping the length of a basketball court in one leap.

Built for sneaking. A flea's body is super flat and narrow, which helps it squeeze through fur and feathers without getting knocked off. Their claws grip tightly so they can hold on no matter how much their host scratches or shakes.

Blood-feeding experts. Adult fleas have special sharp mouthparts designed to pierce skin and drink blood from mammals and birds. This is how they survive, and there are about 2,500 different flea species adapted to different animals.

Weird larva stage. Baby fleas look nothing like adults. They're worm-like with no legs and chewing mouths instead of blood-sucking ones, and they munch on dead skin and dirt they find on their host.

Tiny but mighty. Adult fleas are only about 3 millimeters long, roughly the size of a sesame seed, but they can cause big problems for their hosts through itching and spreading diseases.