Squirrel Flea vs Cat Flea
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Squirrel Flea | Cat Flea |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Orchopeas howardi | Ctenocephalides felis |
| Order | Siphonaptera | Siphonaptera |
| Family | Ceratophyllidae | Pulicidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 1.5-3 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Underground |
| Diet | Parasites | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Squirrel Flea
A common ectoparasite of eastern gray squirrels and flying squirrels in North America. It is found in squirrel nests and tree cavities.
Did You Know?
This flea can survive several months without feeding while waiting in an abandoned squirrel nest.
Cat Flea
The most common flea on both cats and dogs worldwide. Can jump up to 150 times its body length. A single female can produce up to 2,000 eggs in her lifetime.
Did You Know?
Fleas can jump 150 times their body length — equivalent to a human leaping over a 75-story building. They achieve this using a pad of elastic protein called resilin.