how far can fleas jump

Fleas are known for their impressive jumping ability. They can jump as far as 7-8 inches (18-20 cm) horizontally and 5-6 inches (13-15 cm) vertically in a single leap. This is quite remarkable considering their small size, with most fleas measuring around 1/8 inch (3-4 mm) in length.

Fleas achieve this impressive jumping ability due to a unique physiological feature called a “resilin spring.” This is a rubber-like protein that stores energy in their hind legs, allowing them to explosively release it and propel themselves into the air.

To put this into perspective, if a human had the same jumping ability as a flea, they would be able to jump the height of the Eiffel Tower (over 1,000 feet or 300 meters) in a single bound. This is a testament to the incredible agility and athleticism of these tiny insects.