sand flea

noun

|Updated on: 22 May 2018

Definition of sand flea

1 : a flea (such as a chigoe) found in sandy places

The so-called sand flea that people encounter on vacation beaches is nothing more than a common flea that is breeding outdoors in the soil.
—Jane E. Brody

2 : any of various amphipod crustaceans (family Talitridae) found on ocean beaches that feed on decaying organic matter, typically burrow into the sand during the day, and are capable of leaping like fleas : beach flea

These little shorebirds are generally in small groups, chasing the receding breakers on twinkling feet, probing for sand fleas and other crustaceans …
—Dennis Puleston

See sand flea defined for kids

Recent Examples of sand flea from the Web

Some nasty species live in sand, too, such as parasitic insects called sand fleas.

— Discover Magazine, "20 Things You Didn't Know About ... Sand," 18 May 2018
Skin-crawling video shows amphipods, also referred to as sand fleas or sea fleas, gnawing away at the steak used to lure it from the water.

— National Geographic, "Mysterious Flesh-Eating Sea Creature Causes Shocking Injury," 7 Aug. 2017
The large yellow underwing moth, for instance, can use the moon’s azimuth (or horizontal bearing) to help orient its flight—a skill that other creatures, such as sand fleas, also employ to great effect.

— National Geographic, "Sex, Death, and Pollination: How the Moon Changes Life on Earth," 6 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sand flea.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.