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Created: 2011-09-27
Updated: 2011-09-27

Coating protects during impacts: fleas


The skeleton of fleas provides protection during impacts due to a coating of sclerotin, which functions as a shock absorber.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
 
Taxonomy_1 Maintain physical integrity >
Taxonomy_2 Manage structural forces >
Taxonomy_3 Impact
Biomimetic Application Ideas
 
  • Earthquake-resistant building materials
  • Bridges, ships, and highways that are more resistant to impacts

> Visit strategy page

[Collapse all sections] Summary
"In general, the flea does not fall onto its legs after the fifth jump, it lands either on its back or head. However, it neither becomes dizzy nor gets injured, which is due to the design of its body…The skeleton of the insect is not inside its body. It is composed of a hard layer of a compound called sclerotin, which wraps the entire body and is attached to the chitin. Numerous armoured plates with limited movement form this outer skeleton, which absorbs and eliminates the shock of jumping." (Yahya 2002:148)
About the inspiring organism
Siphonaptera
Siphonaptera


Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist
Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Earthquake-resistant building materials; bridges, ships, and highways that are more resistant to impacts.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Construction, structural engineering

References
Harun Yahya. 2002. Design in Nature. London: Ta-Ha Publishers Ltd. 180 p.
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