Giant Armadillo Flea vs Dog Flea

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Armadillo Flea Dog Flea
Scientific Name Tunga caecata Ctenocephalides canis
Order Siphonaptera Siphonaptera
Family Tungidae Pulicidae
Size 1-2 mm 2-3.5 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Blood Feeders Blood Feeders
Regions South America Europe, Asia, Africa, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Giant Armadillo Flea

A burrowing flea related to the chigoe flea that parasitizes armadillos in South America. Like its relative, the gravid female embeds into the host's skin.

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Did You Know?

It is one of only a few flea species in the world that burrows into its host's skin to feed and reproduce.

Dog Flea

A flea historically associated with domestic dogs but actually less common on dogs than the cat flea. Distinguished by its more rounded head profile.

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Did You Know?

Despite being called the dog flea, this species is often outnumbered on dogs by cat fleas at a ratio of ten to one.