Why Do Fleas Jump When You Touch Them?
WouterFleas can jump for up to 50 times their body length. This ability allows them to travel great distances. This makes it easier for them to find their host. However, when you touch a flea, you might not be able to feel the jumping motion of the flea.
Fleas are very small and have four front legs that are short. This helps them move faster across the surface of a carpet or dog’s fur. They live in your pet’s fur and like to hide in a dog’s tail region. Fortunately, fleas do not jump far when they are on a dog.
Fleas don’t have wings. However, they do have a hinge on their thorax that aids their jumping mechanisms. These wings are not present on the adult fleas, so their jumping mechanism is different from that of a bird. But despite this difference, these insects still jump high and horizontally.
Adult fleas lay 40-50 eggs each day and reproduce for up to 100 days. Flea eggs are too slippery to stay on a dog or cat, so they will drop across surfaces of the house. However, they are capable of jumping up to eight inches. This is due to the resilin protein in their body, which acts like a spring and helps the flea push itself into the air.
Fleas jump because they are looking for the perfect host. Once they find a new host, they will continue to move until they find one that is perfect for their reproduction and residence. Fleas are not dangerous but can pass on their eggs to other animals.
