Hard Tick

Natural Habitat

Wooded areas, tall grasses, leaf litter, and areas with high humidity and animal activity.

Diet & Feeding

Hematophagous; they feed exclusively on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles/amphibians.

Behavior Patterns

They exhibit 'questing' behavior, where they cling to vegetation with their back legs and reach out with their front legs to latch onto a passing host. They undergo four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult.

Risks & Benefits

Significant health risks to humans and animals as they are vectors for diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Anaplasmosis. They offer little benefit beyond being a food source for some birds and reptiles.

Identified on: 3/16/2026