Dog Tick (American Dog Tick)
Scientific Name: Dermacentor variabilis
Order & Family: Order: Ixodida, Family: Ixodidae
Size: Unfed females are about 5mm long; fed females can expand up to 15mm (about the size of a small grape). Males correspond roughly to unfed female size.
Natural Habitat
Found in wooded areas, tall grasses, shrubs, and along trails or walkways; often brought indoors by pets.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (blood-feeding); larvae and nymphs feed on small mammals like mice, while adults prefer larger hosts like dogs, cattle, and humans.
Behavior Patterns
They exhibit 'questing' behavior, waiting on the tips of vegetation with front legs oustretched to latch onto passing hosts. They are most active during the spring and summer months.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Can transmit diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia; their bites can cause skin irritation or infection. Benefits: minimal, though they serve as a food source for some birds and reptiles.
Identified on: 2/16/2026