How High Can Fleas Jump Or Fly?
Fleas are incredibly athletic creatures, capable of great heights and speeds. The mechanisms behind their leaps have eluded scientists for decades, but new research from the University of Cambridge has shed some light. Fleas’ jumps are likely controlled by an elastic pad on their legs called resilin. This pad stores energy when compressed and releases it when it recoils. It’s this mechanism that propels fleas into the air.
Fleas do not have wings, but they are very powerful, and they can jump as high as 150 feet! Because they lack wings, fleas rely on a resilin hinge, which connects their body and legs, to propel themselves off the ground. In fact, they are so agile that they can jump over a 30-story building in just one hop!
Fleas are tiny insects that can be found on mammals. They measure about one-fourth of an inch in length, and are brownish black in color. Adult fleas can jump up to a foot horizontally, but they cannot fly. Fleas live all year long, and they are most active in late spring and early fall.
Fleas are land-based parasites that will jump onto a potential host. They can even jump up onto humans. When they have found a new home, they’ll remain there until their host dies. It’s important to keep a close eye on your pet to prevent flea infestations and keep your pets safe.