| Name: |
Cat Flea |
| AKA: |
'Ukulele, Leaping Flea |
| Scientific Name: |
Ctenocephalides felis |
| Description: |
1/16 inch; small wingless insects; pale to dark reddish
brown with a flattened (skinny) body. This body design allows easy
movement between hairs of animal fur. The body parts are heavily armored
and segmented, with numerous backward spines and bristles to aid sticking
to the fur. Claws at the tips of the legs also enable the flee to
stay attached to the fur even when the animal shakes or scratches
vigorously. The eyes resemble ocelli(simple eyes) in structure and
there are two short antennae (3 segmented) concealed in groves on
the head. Six long legs allow the insect to make lateral jumps of
up to 14 to 16 inches. Fleas use their piercing mouth parts (needle-like
structures) to penetrate the skin, form a channel and draw blood from
the host. |
| Diet: |
Fleas are parasitic and suck blood of birds and mammals.
The larval stage eats organic debris left in animal beds or dander
and dead skin that collects in dust balls. Both male and female fleas
suck blood, preferring a particular kind of animal (like cat or dog)
according to their species. If food is scarce an adult can go one
to two months without eating. In the absence of a preferred animal
they will bite other animals and humans. |
| Habitat: |
Among the hair of cats. |
| Wanted For: |
Annoying pet owners by infesting pets and causing them
to scratch. Although cat and dog fleas are not specific disease carriers
they leave a red itchy bump that can be very uncomfortable depending
on the reaction of the individual. Other species of fleas are serious
disease carriers, responsible for carrying organisms that cause bubonic
plague and typhus. |
| Last Known Location: |
On the family cat jumping from head to tail! |
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