Dog Tick
Scientific Name: Dermacentor variabilis
Order & Family: Ixodida / Ixodidae
Size: 3mm to 5mm (unfed), up to 15mm (fully engorged)
Natural Habitat
Found in wooded areas, tall grass, and areas with low-lying vegetation
Diet & Feeding
Blood of mammals including dogs, cats, rodents, and humans
Behavior Patterns
Use a technique called 'questing' by holding onto vegetation with hind legs and stretching front legs to grab passing hosts
Risks & Benefits
Known vector for Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia; no direct benefits to the ecosystem
Identified on: 4/24/2026