Tick

Natural Habitat

Found in wooded areas, tall grasses, shrubs, and leaf litter. They often climb onto vegetation to wait for a host.

Diet & Feeding

Strictly hematophagous, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of vertebrates, including mammals, birds, and reptiles. They require blood meals to develop through their life stages (larva, nymph, adult) and for reproduction.

Behavior Patterns

Ticks are obligate parasites that typically lie in wait for a host, a behavior known as 'questing.' They climb onto vegetation and extend their forelegs, waiting to grasp onto a passing animal or human. Once on a host, they often crawl to a preferred feeding site and attach themselves using their mouthparts. They can feed for several hours to multiple days, depending on the species and life stage.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Ticks are significant vectors of numerous diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and tularemia. Their bites can also cause irritation or allergic reactions. Benefits: Ticks generally have no direct benefits to humans or ecosystems, though they serve as a food source for some birds and small mammals, and their role in nutrient cycling is minimal.

Identified on: 9/22/2025