American Dog Tick

Natural Habitat

Tall grass, low-lying brush, and wooded areas, especially along paths and walkways where hosts may pass.

Diet & Feeding

Hematophagous (blood-feeding); primarily feeds on mammals, including domestic dogs and humans.

Behavior Patterns

They use a strategy called 'questing,' where they climb to the tips of vegetation and extend their forelegs to grab onto a passing host. They have a four-stage life cycle: egg, larva, nymph, and adult.

Risks & Benefits

A major risk to humans as they are primary vectors for Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) and tularemia. They can also cause tick paralysis. They provide little ecological benefit beyond being a food source for some birds and reptiles.

Identified on: 5/18/2026