Hedgehog Flea vs Badger Flea

Side-by-side species comparison

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

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.

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Did You Know?

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

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.

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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.