What do fleas look like on rabbits? - briefly
Fleas infesting rabbits are tiny, wing‑less insects about 1–3 mm long, reddish‑brown to dark brown, with a laterally flattened body and powerful hind legs for jumping. They move quickly through the fur, often seen as small moving specks near the ears or abdomen.
What do fleas look like on rabbits? - in detail
Fleas that infest lagomorphs are typically the species Ctenocephalides felis or Ctenocephalides canis, which readily adapt to the rabbit’s coat. Adult insects measure 1.5–3 mm in length, resembling tiny, dark brown to black beetles. Their bodies are laterally flattened, enabling them to move easily through dense fur. The thorax is robust, bearing six jointed legs that end in tiny claws, allowing a firm grip on hair shafts. Antennae are short and concealed beneath the head capsule, while the abdomen is segmented and expands after a blood meal, giving the flea a slightly swollen appearance.
Key visual characteristics include:
- Coloration: Uniformly dark, sometimes with a faint reddish hue after feeding.
- Body shape: Compact, oval, and flattened from side to side.
- Leg structure: Long relative to body size, with strong claws for anchoring.
- Movement: Rapid, erratic jumps that may cause the rabbit to twitch or scratch.
Under magnification, the flea’s exoskeleton displays a chitinous, glossy surface. The head bears a pair of short, serrated mouthparts designed for piercing skin and sucking blood. In a fed state, the abdomen may appear engorged, taking on a bluish tint due to the ingested blood. Flea larvae, which are not visible on the host, are slender, white, and C‑shaped, residing in the rabbit’s bedding where they feed on organic debris and adult flea feces.
When examining a rabbit, fleas are most often found near the ears, base of the tail, and the groin area, where the hair is thinner and skin is more accessible. Their presence can be confirmed by spotting tiny, moving specks or by noticing small black specks of flea feces (digested blood) on the coat.