Where do lice live? - briefly
Lice inhabit the bodies of their hosts, clinging to hair, feathers, or fur and feeding on blood. They are most common on humans, birds, and other mammals, remaining close to the scalp or skin surface.
Where do lice live? - in detail
Lice are obligate ectoparasites that reside exclusively on the bodies of their hosts. The three primary species that affect humans occupy distinct niches:
- Head lice inhabit the scalp, clinging to hair shafts close to the skin. Females lay eggs (nits) near the base of each strand, where the temperature remains stable and the environment is moist enough to support embryonic development.
- Body lice live in the seams of clothing and bedding rather than on the skin itself. They move to the body only to feed, then return to fabric folds where humidity is higher and protection from external disturbances is greater.
- Pubic lice colonize the coarse hair of the genital region, perianal area, and occasionally chest or facial hair. Their microhabitat provides a combination of warmth, humidity, and limited grooming interference.
In addition to human hosts, several lice species specialize in mammals and birds. Mammalian lice occupy fur, often preferring areas with dense hair, such as the neck, tail, or ventral surface. Avian lice reside on feathers, especially in regions where preening is infrequent, such as wing edges and tail feathers.
Environmental factors influencing louse habitation include:
- Temperature: optimal range of 28–32 °C (82–90 °F) for development; temperatures below 15 °C (59 °F) significantly slow reproduction.
- Relative humidity: 70–80 % maintains egg viability and prevents desiccation of mobile stages.
- Host grooming: frequent hair washing or clothing changes disrupts colonies, reducing survival rates.
Transmission occurs when lice move from one host to another during close physical contact, shared bedding, or clothing exchange. Once transferred, they establish colonies in the appropriate microhabitat, exploiting the host’s body heat and moisture to complete their life cycle.