Dog Tick

Natural Habitat

Grassy areas, low-lying brush, and wooded paths, common in both rural and suburban environments.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate blood-feeders; they consume the blood of mammals including dogs, deer, and humans.

Behavior Patterns

They exhibit 'questing' by climbing to the tips of vegetation and extending their front legs to latch onto passing hosts. They have a three-host life cycle (larva, nymph, adult).

Risks & Benefits

High risk as a vector for Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. They can also cause tick paralysis in pets and humans. They provide no significant benefits to the ecosystem besides serving as food for some birds and reptiles.

Identified on: 4/10/2026