paltik
English: Translation
A small, dark-colored jumping flea that lives in dry, dusty ground or floor surfaces and feeds on the blood of humans and domestic animals, especially dogs. It commonly jumps onto passing hosts and bites the feet, ankles, or lower legs, producing small, intensely itchy swellings. It may also be found moving or feeding among a dog’s fur.
Notes
paltik
n.
Usage note
Although traditionally described as a small tick, the reported behavior—especially jumping, biting the lower legs, and infesting dogs—identifies paltik more closely as a flea than as a true tick. Fleas are wingless blood-feeding insects capable of jumping, and their bites commonly occur on human feet and lower legs. True ticks crawl and do not jump.
Traditional definition
A small black, tick-like biting parasite found in dry, dusty places and in dogs’ fur.
This traditional description may be retained because paltik represents a Boie’nen folk-biological category based on the creature’s size, parasitic behavior, and association with dogs—not necessarily its classification under modern zoology.
Compare
- paltik — small jumping flea associated with dusty ground, dogs, and intensely itchy bites on the lower legs.
- garapata — true tick; a crawling arachnid that attaches firmly to humans or animals.
- toma — traditionally, a pubic or body-hair louse; sometimes loosely identified as a tick-like parasite.
- koto — adult human head louse.