[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

What I don't understand is why would fleas leave the shelter of the fur/hairs on furry animals such as rats to venture onto the exposed surface of the relatively hairless, like people? I remember when I was a kid, our dog had fleas, and not only were they biting the dog, they were biting the hell out of us, too. That is until we eliminated them.

lol
That's because there are different kinds/species of fleas. Some will bite both people and the dog or cat. However, a lot of times with fleas, it's not through choice. Fleas come in distinct varieties and tend to stay with the animal they are adapted to. So, when rats or mice die of plague, their fleas leave and look for new animals to infest. Rat fleas cannot actually survive for long on humans -- our blood doesn't supply the correct balance of nutrients. But one bite is enough to transmit plague.