SO WHAT IS A FLEA CIRCUS?
A flea circus is a real circus but in miniature. Fleas use tiny props to carry out all the acts within the circus. There are two types of flea circuses: 1) Real and 2) Imaginary. Some Flea Circuses include feats of magic.
The history of the Flea Circus dates back to Egyptian and Roman times but was most successful during the 1600s onwards when these fascinating little shows were exhibited from small boxes or trunks in pubs taverns and at fairs. Most Flea Circuses died out well before the 1940s and today there are very few left but they are on the increase.
Live fleas would be harnessed using a very fine wire which is tied around the flea’s neck to make a tiny collar, this is usually made from jewelers very thin gold wire and sometimes jewelers or watch makers were set the task of creating the miniature chariots and props for the fleas to use.
The most popular acts through the years have included.....
Chariots and 'horse drawn' style carts pulled by a flea.
Flea dives from diving board into a pool of water.
Flea crawls across high-wire with balance bar.
Two fleas ride the sea-saw.
Fleas jump from swing to swing on the flying trapeze.
A flea kicks a football across the field.
Flea is shot from a cannon.
Everyone has heard of the Flea Circus but few have actually seen one, its a show everyone always remembers! If you do get to see one, you will have to decide if the fleas are real or imaginary.
SOME FLEA FACTS
A flea can pull up to 160,000 times its own weight!
A flea can lift up to 60 times its own weight!
A flea can jump over 150 times its own hight!
If a man had the same strength, he could jump over St Paul's Cathedral.
When jumping, the flea accelerates 50 times faster than the space shuttle!
And a flea can jump 30,000 times without stopping!
