Tampan (Soft Tick)

Found in dry, dusty environments, animal burrows, bird nests, and crevices of mud huts or livestock pens.

Obligate blood-feeders, primarily targeting birds, livestock, bats, and occasionally humans.

Unlike hard ticks, they feed quickly (minutes to hours) and then leave the host, living in the environment between meals. They are nocturnal and can survive for years without a meal.

Risks include painful bites, localized swelling, and potential transmission of tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) and African swine fever. They have no significant ecosystem benefits.