Tick

Natural Habitat

Wooded areas, tall grass, shrubs, forests, fields, and urban green spaces. They often reside on vegetation, waiting for hosts to pass by.

Diet & Feeding

Strictly hematophagous (blood-feeding) at all life stages (larva, nymph, adult). They feed on blood from mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Behavior Patterns

Ticks typically undergo four life stages (egg, larva, nymph, adult). They are known for 'questing,' where they climb onto vegetation and wait with outstretched forelegs to attach to a passing host. Feeding can last from hours to days. Many species require a blood meal to molt to the next stage or to lay eggs.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Ticks are significant vectors for a variety of pathogens, including bacteria (e.g., Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever), viruses (e.g., tick-borne encephalitis), and protozoa (e.g., babesiosis), posing serious health risks to humans and animals. They can also cause tick paralysis. Benefits: In certain ecosystems, they can be part of the food chain for other invertebrates or small animals, though their ecological role is relatively minor compared to their medical importance as disease vectors.

Identified on: 9/27/2025