Western Ground Squirrel Flea vs Squirrel Flea
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Western Ground Squirrel Flea | Squirrel Flea |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oropsylla montana | Orchopeas howardi |
| Order | Siphonaptera | Siphonaptera |
| Family | Ceratophyllidae | Ceratophyllidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | Western North America | North America |
| 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.
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.