Dog Tick / Common Tick (likely nymph stage)
Scientific Name: Dermacentor or Ixodes genus
Order & Family: Ixodida: Ixodidae
Size: Nymphs are approximately 1–2 mm, often described as the size of a poppy seed.
Natural Habitat
Grassy, brushy, or wooded areas; frequently hitchhikes on mammals following contact with vegetation.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous; they feed exclusively on the blood of mammals, birds, and occasionally reptiles.
Behavior Patterns
They exhibit 'questing' behavior, clinging to grass or leaves with back legs while reaching out with front legs to grab passing hosts.
Risks & Benefits
High risk to humans; they are primary vectors for diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Anaplasmosis. They offer no significant ecological benefits to humans.
Identified on: 1/6/2026