Fun Firebrat Facts For Kids

The Firebrat insect belongs to the kingdom of Animalia (Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda), they belong to the Class Insecta and Order Thysanura, belonging to the Lepismatidae family which is a part of the Genus Thermobia and Specie domestica. The scientific name of firebrat is Thermobia domestica.

Firebrats are not considered to be dangerous as they do not transmit any disease to people, do not sting or bite people but can contaminate food. A silverfish is a small insect with a long, slender, and flattened body while Firebrats are grayish-brown with darker spots on their back. Firebrats are common all over the world and can be found near heated areas. Firebrats are nuisance pests but and are usually dealt with in order to prevent them from contaminating consumables. A major threat to Firebrats is Pest Control.

Here on our page, we have lots of Firebrat facts that everyone will enjoy. Let's have a look at these interesting facts, and if you do like these, then do read our millipede and praying mantis.
 

What type of animal is a Firebrat?

Firebrats (Thermobia Domestica) are a species of silverfish, preferring high temperatures with some level of humidity. They have flat bodies with a mottled reddish-orange, and their scales are shiny.

What class of animal does a Firebrat belong to?

Firebrats belong to the class of Insecta.

How many Firebrats are there in the world?

A scientific study regarding their total population has not been conducted.

Where does a Firebrat live?

Firebrats are very common in North America especially indoors with heat sources and humid areas like; hot-water pipes, water heaters, attics, fireplaces as well as ovens in bakeries.

What is a Firebrat's habitat?

Firebrats can live all year long, many Firebrats live outside and are found under rocks, leaf molds, bark, in the nests of mammals and birds, in termite and ant nests.

Who do Firebrats live with?

Both young and grown-up firebrats share very similar conditions, so all ages of Firebrat insects will be found together in an appropriate environment.

How long does a Firebrat live?

Firebrats are stout-bodied, quick-moving insects without wings and their average lifespan is around two years.

How do they reproduce?

The flat bodies of Firebrats give them access to all sorts of narrow spaces as they search around for food and mates at night. Male Firebrats deposit a sperm packet on the ground, below a silken thread. The packet is then picked up by the female. Females lay their eggs inside cracks and crevices. The eggs are about 0.04 in (1 mm) long. At first, the eggs are soft and white, but after some time they turn yellow and then brown. The Firebrat larvae look like a smaller version of their adults.

What is their conservation status?

There are no species of Firebrats (Thermobia Domestica) that are threatened or endangered.

What do Firebrats look like?

Firebrats are closely related to the species of Silverfish. Firebrats consist of a long and flat silvery body with hairs that are like spikes standing out from yellow scale-type plates. They have three long, string, thread-like tails that split from the tip of the midsection. Firebrat is a stout-bodied, quick-moving insect without wings. Unlike their fierce name, they do not bite, sting, or hurt people. Their presence is an annoyance more than anything, and they rarely form infestation indoors.

Just like silverfish, Firebrats are nocturnal foragers. These insects are general feeders that consume starch in a wide variety of materials like wood, paper products, cotton, glue, silk, flour, and cereal. This insect can be found around heated areas like hot water pipes, hot ovens, attic, and fireplaces.

How cute are they?

The Firebrat is a pest and like most pests, they are not considered cute. They are instead considered to be a nuisance.

How do they communicate?

Firebrat bugs lack any kind of long-distance communication, yet, these insects can locate their mates in sustained hot and humid microhabitats, generally within human habitats where they feed on dry food sources.

How big is a Firebrat?

Firebrats are very closely related and look very similar to silverfish in appearance. Adults' growth may reach half an inch in length and have a mottled gray and brown body which is tear-shaped. The adults have a long pair of antennae and three long-slim structures that are found coming out of the tail end of their body segment.

How fast can a Firebrat move?

Firebrats are fast-moving and can travel throughout buildings. They move their bodies in a fish-like manner.

How much does a Firebrat weigh?

The average weight of a Firebrat is not known. If you know the weight of a Firebrat, please let us know at [email protected]

What are their male and female names of the species?

They do not have gender-specific names.

What would you call a baby Firebrat?

They are simply referred to as larvae.

What do they eat?

Firebrats eat decaying or dried plants and animal remains. They eat starchy materials, such as paper, cardboard boxes, wallpaper paste, book bindings, and some other fabrics. They also eat the starch which is used to make the fabric stiff. The species living with ants get food by stealing it from their hosts.

Are they dangerous?

Firebrats are not commonly known for transmitting any diseases to people. They also do not bite or sting people. Firebrats are inconvenient pests, but they should be dealt with sooner because they can cause damage to personal items and contaminate food sources.

Would they make a good pet?

No, they are wild creatures and can cause damage to different items also can contaminate foods. They cannot be confined to domestic living.

Did you know...

These insects are highly primitive, and primitive to an extent that they are wingless.

Where do Firebrats come from?

Firebrat bug can be found all over the world and especially found indoors. They require places with humidity and high temperature.

What is the difference between silverfish and Firebrats?

Firebrats and silverfish are perceived to be irritating pests that can feed on natural textiles, wallpaper pastes, cardboard boxes, papers, and books. They also often feed on fungi or mold that grow on different media.

Firebrats and Silverfish molt or shed their outer skeletons, but Firebrats are known to live for only two years, whereas Silverfish can live up to six years.

Firebrats and silverfish may look similar but, Firebrats have longer antennae than Silverfish.

Silverfish are completely gray or silver, whereas Firebrats have dark gray or solver patches all over its

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other arthropods including atlas beetle, or giant African millipede.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Firebrat coloring pages.