Flee the Flea

Where do fleas get their incredible jumping abilities? Look no further than these massive hind legs. Although fleas only get about 1/8 of an inch (3 millimeters) long, they have a horizontal jump range of up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) that s more than 1,000 times their body length. Flea bites are to be avoided; it s these jumping insects that are responsible for transmitting the Black Death, or plague, from rats to humans in the 1300s.