Engorged Deer Tick (Blacklegged Tick)

Wooded and brushy areas, leaf litter, tall grasses, and host animals such as deer and mice.

Hematophagous; feeds exclusively on the blood of vertebrate hosts including mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Employs questing behavior by climbing vegetation and extending legs to grasp passing hosts. After attaching, it feeds slowly for several days, expanding significantly as it consumes blood.

High risk to human and animal health; primary vector for Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Offers minimal ecosystem benefits, primarily serving as a minor food source for birds and amphibians.