Tick

Tall grass, brush, and wooded areas where they wait for a host to pass by.

Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles.

They exhibit 'questing' behavior by climbing to the tips of vegetation and extending their legs to latch onto passing hosts. They undergo four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult.

Ticks are significant vectors for diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Anaplasmosis. They provide little ecosystem benefit beyond serving as a food source for some birds and reptiles. Recommendation: Use fine-tipped tweezers to remove the tick immediately, grasping it as close to the skin as possible, and consult a healthcare professional.