Flea circus. Human flea (Pulex irritans) in a harness, held by fingers. The flea belongs to Hans Mathes' Flea Circus, where trained fleas perform a ra

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Flea circus. Human flea (Pulex irritans) in a harness, held by fingers. The flea belongs to Hans Mathes' Flea Circus, where trained fleas perform a range of tricks, including kicking balls, pulling miniature carriages and dancing in tiny costumes. For performances the fleas are held in a wire harness (brown, centre left), secured over the head and behind the front legs, as seen here. Mathes harnesses each flea by hand. The stunts rely on the natural movements and strength of the fleas, which can move objects of up to 20,000 times their own body weight. The circus performs for two weeks a year at the Munich Oktoberfest in Germany.

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Size: 4689px × 3605px
Photo credit: © VOLKER STEGER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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