Western Ground Squirrel Flea vs Hedgehog Flea
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Western Ground Squirrel Flea | Hedgehog Flea |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oropsylla montana | Archaeopsylla erinacei |
| Order | Siphonaptera | Siphonaptera |
| Family | Ceratophyllidae | Pulicidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 2-3.5 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Western North America | Europe, North Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Western Ground Squirrel Flea
A flea found on ground squirrels and prairie dogs in western North America. It is an important vector of sylvatic plague in wild rodent populations.
Did You Know?
It is the primary flea responsible for maintaining plague in wild rodent populations across the American West.
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.