
Community identification
Dog tick
Dermacentor variabilis
- Order & Family
- Parasitiformes, Ixodidae
- Size
- 4 mm to 5 mm unfed; up to 15 mm when engorged.
Natural Habitat
Tall grass, brush, and wooded areas along trails.
Diet & Feeding
Vertebrate blood across three parasitic life stages.
Behavior Patterns
Waits on vegetation via questing to latch onto passing hosts.
Risks & Benefits
Transmits pathogens such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever to humans and pets.