Dog Tick / Cattle Tick

Found in high grass, wooded areas, and domestic environments with animal hosts.

Obligate hematophage (feeds exclusively on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles).

The image shows a fully engorged female tick. Ticks find hosts through 'questing' or by living in host-adjacent structures. After a large blood meal, females drop off the host to lay thousands of eggs before dying.

Significant health risks: Ticks are vectors for numerous diseases including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, and ehrlichiosis. They have no significant ecological benefit to humans and are considered major pests.