Engorged Tick
Scientific Name: Ixodidae (Family level identification)
Order & Family: Order: Ixodida, Family: Ixodidae
Size: 3mm to 12mm depending on life stage and level of engorgement (the pictured specimen is fully engorged and significantly larger than its flat state).
Natural Habitat
Tall grasses, wooded areas, leaf litter, and shrubs where they wait for hosts to brush past.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Behavior Patterns
They exhibit 'questing' behavior by climbing onto vegetation and reaching out with their front legs to latch onto a passing host. Once attached, they feed for several days until fully distended before dropping off to molt or lay eggs.
Risks & Benefits
High risk to humans and pets as vectors for serious diseases including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Ehrlichiosis. They provide no significant benefits to humans and are considered parasitic pests.
Identified on: 4/6/2026