Dog tick or engorged deer tick

Tall grass, brush, and wooded areas where they wait to attach to passing hosts.

Obligate hematophagous ectoparasites feeding exclusively on vertebrate blood.

Questing on vegetation by stretching legs to latch onto passing hosts; attaches firmly to skin to feed for days.

High risk of transmitting serious pathogens such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and anaplasmosis.