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View Full Version : What conditions do head lice need


modnar
Jun 14, 2010, 12:20 PM
I'm planing on doing an experiment and I have everything but what lice feed on and what nutrients they need can someone tell me?

tickle
Jun 14, 2010, 12:37 PM
They drink blood, modnar. They get their nutrients from blood. I wouldn't do any experiment involving lice if you don't want them on your own body.

Tick

InfoJunkie4Life
Jun 15, 2010, 09:50 AM
Most lice are scavengers, feeding on skin and other debris found on the host's body, but some species feed on sebaceous secretions and blood. Most are found only on specific types of animal, and, in some cases, only to a particular part of the body; some animals are known to host up to fifteen different species, although one to three is typical for mammals, and two to six for birds. For example, in humans, different species of louse inhabit the scalp and pubic hair. Lice generally cannot survive for long if removed from their host.

A louse's color varies from pale beige to dark gray; however, if feeding on blood, it may become considerably darker. Female lice are usually more common than the males, and some species are even known to be parthenogenetic. A louse's egg is commonly called a nit. Many lice attach their eggs to their host's hair with specialized saliva; the saliva/hair bond is very difficult to sever without specialized products. Lice inhabiting birds, however, may simply leave their eggs in parts of the body inaccessible to preening, such as the interior of feather shafts. Living lice eggs tend to be pale white. Dead lice eggs are more yellow.

Lice are exopterygotes, being born as miniature versions of the adult, known as nymphs. The young moult three times before reaching the final adult form, which they usually reach within a month of hatching.


Be Careful

asking
Jun 15, 2010, 02:00 PM
You could use a rodent louse and grow them on mice or something...