How do animal fleas look? - briefly
Fleas are tiny, wingless insects about 1–3 mm long, with a laterally flattened, oval body covered in a hard, reddish‑brown exoskeleton. Their legs are long and adapted for jumping, ending in tiny claws that grasp host fur.
How do animal fleas look? - in detail
Fleas are tiny, laterally flattened insects measuring approximately 1–3 mm in length. Their bodies are oval and streamlined, facilitating movement through the fur or feathers of hosts.
- Coloration: Typically dark brown to reddish‑black; some species exhibit a slightly lighter abdomen after a blood meal.
- Head: Small, rounded, equipped with short, bristle‑like antennae that lie close to the body and are not visible without magnification.
- Eyes: Compound eyes are present in adult stages, appearing as tiny dark spots on the dorsal surface of the head.
- Mouthparts: Adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood; a long, slender proboscis extends forward from the head, capable of penetrating hair or feather shafts.
- Thorax: Houses six powerful legs, each ending in a specialized pad called a pulvillus that bears tiny claws for gripping hair or feathers.
- Legs: Extremely long relative to body size; the hind legs are especially robust, providing the spring‑loaded jump that can reach up to 150 mm vertically.
- Abdomen: Segmented, soft, and capable of expanding considerably after feeding; the ventral surface bears bristles that help anchor the insect to the host.
The exoskeleton is composed of a thin, chitinous cuticle that offers limited protection but allows flexibility. Respiratory openings (spiracles) are located on the lateral margins of the abdomen, enabling gas exchange while the flea remains attached to its host. These morphological traits collectively give fleas their distinctive, compact yet highly mobile appearance.