Blood-engorged Tick

Tall grass, woodlands, and leaf litter where they wait for hosts.

Blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles.

They exhibit questing behavior, climbing grass stems to latch onto passing hosts; they undergo four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult.

Significant risk as vectors for diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Babesiosis; they provide no significant benefits to humans and are considered parasites.