Badger Flea vs Hedgehog Flea

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Badger Flea Hedgehog Flea
Scientific Name Paraceras melis Archaeopsylla erinacei
Order Siphonaptera Siphonaptera
Family Ceratophyllidae Pulicidae
Size 3-5 mm 2-3.5 mm
Habitat Underground Woodlands
Diet Blood Feeders Blood Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Badger Flea

A large flea specialized to parasitize European badgers. It is found in badger setts and is one of the largest flea species in Europe.

💡

Did You Know?

It is one of the largest fleas in the world and its size corresponds to the thick skin of its badger host.

Hedgehog Flea

A large flea specific to European hedgehogs and one of the most abundant fleas in Western Europe. A single hedgehog can harbor hundreds.

💡

Did You Know?

Hedgehogs are so commonly infested that an average individual carries about 100 of these fleas.