How do adult fleas obtain blood?

Adult fleas obtain blood by sucking it from their hosts. They possess specialized mouthparts designed for this purpose, allowing them to pierce the skin of mammals and birds. Once they access a blood vessel, fleas use their sucking mechanism to draw blood, which serves as their primary source of nutrition. This feeding method is critical for their reproductive success and overall metabolism.

Other options do not accurately reflect the method adult fleas use to obtain blood. For instance, while chewing refers to breaking down food into smaller pieces, fleas do not chew their food. Although lapping describes a way of consuming liquid through a scooping action, it is not applicable to how fleas feed on blood. Chemically absorbing food is a method used by some organisms but does not apply to fleas, as they physically ingest blood through their sucking mechanism.