Do Fleas Have Brains?
WouterFleas are insects that live in human hair. Their bodies are made of porous material that allows them to get nutrients and live in a closed environment. They also have two tiny eyes that sit just ahead and slightly beneath the base of their antennae. These eyes are found in similar positions on other insects, including ants. Flea larvae feed on organic matter including dead insects, feces, and vegetables. In adult form, fleas transmit parasites and regulate the breeding frequency of some mammals.
Fleas also have a gut, which performs similar functions to our intestines. Amber, a fossilized tree resin, contains evidence of insect farts. They have a tiny brain, which is made up of two ganglia. These ganglia are connected to nerves that lead to their sensory systems and muscles.
Fleas are parasitic on both humans and animals, and their bites appear as small, discolored bumps on your skin. Fleas are extremely small compared to our own, but their gut contains five milliliters of blood. Fleas live in their hosts for as long as 48 hours, and during that time they feed to repletion.
Fleas reproduce by biting an animal and lay their eggs. The adult fleas do not feed on blood, but instead feed on dirt and dead skin on the host animal. Fleas are part of the Siphonaptera insect order. Their name comes from the Greek word siphon, which means tube, and the suffix aptera, meaning wingless.
