The flea is a dark-colored wingless insect measuring about two millimeters. Her body is hard and flattened, and she can jump up to 8 inches in height over a length of about 12 inches. The flea attacks dogs, cats and even humans. It stings to collect blood which allows it to reproduce. A female only needs one mating to be fertile throughout her life. It can lay about 20 eggs a day. Fleas that are laid on an animal can easily fall to the ground. Eggs hatch after 12 days. As larvae, fleas prefer dark, damp places such as the base of carpet pile, near baseboards, crevices in floors and especially places frequented by cats. The adult flea lives between one and two months.