Community identification
Tick (Engorged)
Ixodida (order)
- Order & Family
- Order Ixodida, Families Ixodidae (hard ticks) and Argasidae (soft ticks)
- Size
- 3mm to 5mm (unfed), potentially expanding to 10mm or more when fully engorged.
Natural Habitat
Wooded areas, tall grass, and leaf litter; often attaches to hosts in these environments.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles.
Behavior Patterns
They exhibit 'questing' behavior by climbing to the tips of vegetation and waiting for a host to pass by. Once attached, they can feed for several days.
Risks & Benefits
High risk as vectors for various diseases including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Babesiosis. They provide no direct benefit to humans but are a food source for some animals like opossums.