# Louse (*Pediculus humanus*) Lice are tiny insects that live on the hair of animals and people. They like to suck blood to survive but don't cause serious harm. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Hair of animals and humans - **Also known as:** Body Louse, Head Louse, Pubic Louse ![Louse](https://media.snappit.app/site-media-v1/73af6b7ef8022093887b1a990ab4defdd325eb141a92ea09b4391e0b17113803/image-560x560/w-560.webp) ## Appearance The Louse is a tiny, flat, oval-shaped insect, typically grayish-white or brownish, which helps it blend into hair. It has six strong legs, each ending in a hook-like claw perfect for grasping onto hair strands. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Phthiraptera - **Family:** Pediculidae - **Genus:** Pediculus ## Interesting facts - A single female louse can lay over 100 tiny eggs during her short lifetime! - Ancient Egyptians had special combs and tools just to get rid of bothersome lice! - Lice are very fast crawlers, but they can't jump or fly at all! - Lice can sometimes change their color slightly to better match the hair they live on! ## Special abilities - **Clingy Claws:** Louse has powerful pincer-like claws on its legs that help them grip onto hair, preventing them from falling off their host. - **Blood Banquet:** Louse can pierce skin with its mouthparts to suck tiny amounts of blood, which provides all the nutrition they need to survive. - **Hair Hideout:** Louse has a flattened, translucent body that allows it to blend seamlessly with the hair and skin of its host, making it hard to spot. - **Super Glue Eggs:** Louse lays its tiny eggs (nits) and glues them firmly to hair strands, ensuring they stay safely attached until they hatch. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 2-3 mm - **Lifespan:** 28-32 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These tiny insects drink blood from their hosts to survive and grow. - **Primary Foods:** human blood, mammal blood, bird blood ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Feeds on blood from the scalp and body, causing itching and irritation. - **Parasitizes:** Dog (*Canis familiaris*) — Dog chewing lice irritate skin and fur, sometimes feeding on dead skin. - **Parasitizes:** [House Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — Bird lice irritate sparrows by feeding on feathers, skin flakes, or blood. - **Hunts:** Predatory Mite (*Cheyletus eruditus*) — This mite preys on lice and their eggs, helping to control their populations. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Parasitic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/parasitic): This trait describes organisms that live on or in a host organism, obtaining nutrients at the host's expense. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low If you have lice, tell an adult so they can help you get rid of them safely. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Louse? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is Louse? 2-3 mm ### How long does Louse live? 28-32 days ### What does Louse eat? These tiny insects drink blood from their hosts to survive and grow. ### Where is Louse usually found? Hair of animals and humans ### How many legs does Louse have? 6 ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Louse: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/louse)