What Size Are Sand Fleas?
WouterSand fleas are not the typical pesky fleas that you may have heard of. They are small, crustaceous creatures that live on the surface of the sand. Their only similarity to true fleas is that they can jump. While they aren’t very big, you can easily catch them on your hands or with a sand flea rake.
There are ten species of Sand Fleas, which range in size from a few millimeters to 1.5 inches. They live on beaches and rocky coastal regions, as well as the western coasts of Africa. They have body shapes similar to that of pill bugs, with long legs and arms, and are filter feeders. In fact, the insects are important parts of the ocean’s ecosystem, as they provide food for many fish and other animals. In addition to being a source of food for other animals, they are also valuable scavengers of dead animals.
Sand fleas are found in sandy, moist areas, and can be a nuisance if not dealt with immediately. They are small enough to be mistaken for micro shrimp, but they can grow to be several inches in size! While the majority of sand fleas are brown or black, some are transparent or white.
Sand fleas are not safe to eat. They carry parasites, so they should be cooked before eating. While washing the sand fleas is beneficial for removing debris from the skin, it does nothing to kill the parasites. The process of boiling them kills the parasites and softens their hard shell. If you have the patience, you can boil them until they are edible, but their taste may not be the best.
