American Dog Tick

Natural Habitat

Tall grass, low-lying brush, and wooded areas near paths

Diet & Feeding

Hematophagous; feeds exclusively on the blood of mammals including humans and dogs

Behavior Patterns

Uses 'questing' behavior to find hosts by waiting on vegetation with front legs outstretched. It has a life cycle consisting of four stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult.

Risks & Benefits

Primary risk includes the transmission of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia; it can also cause tick paralysis in hosts. There are no known benefits to humans.

Identified on: 5/16/2026