Snow Flea vs Oriental Rat Flea
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Snow Flea | Oriental Rat Flea |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Glaciopsyllus antarcticus | Xenopsylla cheopis |
| Order | Siphonaptera | Siphonaptera |
| Family | Ceratophyllidae | Pulicidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 1.5-2.5 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Underground |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania | Tropical and subtropical regions worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Snow Flea
A flea that parasitizes petrels and survives Antarctic conditions year-round.
Did You Know?
It is the southernmost known flea, enduring temperatures far below freezing.
Oriental Rat Flea
The primary vector of bubonic plague, responsible for transmitting the bacterium Yersinia pestis between rats and humans. It is a small, dark brown flea found on rodents.
Did You Know?
This flea species was responsible for transmitting the Black Death, which killed an estimated one-third of Europe's population.