Host fleas are defined as fleas that.

Host fleas are defined as fleas that.

• A. Jump between hosts rapidly
• B. Transmit plague to humans
• C. Remain on the host (cat fleas, dog fleas)
• D. Remain in the nest of the host

Answer: (C)

Fleas are categorized by where they spend most of their life: on the animal they feed from or in the animal’s nest. Host fleas stay on the host, feeding and living on the animal (for example, cat fleas or dog fleas). This on-host residence distinguishes them from nest or off-host fleas, which reside in the environment or in the nest and only visit the host to feed. Because of this behavior, host fleas are defined by remaining on the host. The other statements don’t define host fleas: jumping between hosts rapidly isn’t the defining pattern; plague transmission depends on infection status and vector capabilities, not the basic location; and remaining in the nest describes nest or off-host fleas, not those that stay on the host.

Fleas are categorized by where they spend most of their life: on the animal they feed from or in the animal’s nest. Host fleas stay on the host, feeding and living on the animal (for example, cat fleas or dog fleas). This on-host residence distinguishes them from nest or off-host fleas, which reside in the environment or in the nest and only visit the host to feed. Because of this behavior, host fleas are defined by remaining on the host. The other statements don’t define host fleas: jumping between hosts rapidly isn’t the defining pattern; plague transmission depends on infection status and vector capabilities, not the basic location; and remaining in the nest describes nest or off-host fleas, not those that stay on the host.