Community identification
Soft Tick
Argasidae family (e.g., Argas or Ornithodoros genus)
- Order & Family
- Order Ixodida, Family Argasidae
- Size
- 3mm to 10mm (about 0.1 to 0.4 inches), depending on life stage and engorgement.
Natural Habitat
Found in bird nests, caves, animal burrows, and cracks or crevices in walls near hosts.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on the blood of vertebrates, primarily birds, rodents, and bats, though some species bite humans.
Behavior Patterns
Unlike hard ticks, they feed for short periods (minutes to hours) and then leave the host. They are often nocturnal and can survive for many years without a blood meal.
Risks & Benefits
Risk: They can transmit diseases such as Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF) and cause painful bites. Benefit: Beneficial as a food source for some small predators in their ecosystem.