Pallid Bat Flea — printable fact sheet

Free to print or save as PDF. Great for classrooms, homeschooling, and young explorers.

Download PDF

Creature Atlas

Animal Fact Sheet

Name: ____________________

Date: ____________________

Pallid Bat Flea

Myodopsylla pallida

The Pallid Bat Flea is a specialized ectoparasite that primarily infests pallid bats (Antrozous pallidus) in North America. This small, wingless insect features a laterally compressed body and strong legs, enabling it to move efficiently through the fur of its host. Adapted to a…

Classification

Invertebrate

Family

Ischnopsyllidae

Habitat

Roosts of pallid bats in caves, mines, and rock crevices

Diet

Carnivore (Hematophagous)

Conservation status

Least Concern

Lifespan

Several weeks to a few months

Weight

1-3 mg

Scientific name

Myodopsylla pallida

Did you know?

Unlike many flea species, the pallid bat flea is almost exclusively found on a single bat species, making it a highly specialized parasite.
Pallid bat fleas are so specialized that they rarely survive away from their host bat. Their life cycle is closely synchronized with the roosting and breeding patterns of pallid bats. They have evolved specialized mouthparts to pierce bat skin and access blood efficiently.

What I learned

Draw the pallid bat flea

Want the whole set?

Get printable fact-sheet packs, coloring pages, and classroom worksheet bundles for dozens of animals — ready to download and print.

Browse printable packs

Get a free printable each week

Join the newsletter for a new Creature of the Week + printables.