American Dog Tick
Scientific Name: Dermacentor variabilis
Order & Family: Order: Ixodida, Family: Ixodidae
Size: Adults are approximately 3-5 mm in length, but can grow up to 15 mm when fully engorged.
Natural Habitat
Commonly found in areas with little or no tree cover, such as grassy fields, walkways, and trails.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (blood-feeding); larvae and nymphs feed on small mammals, while adults prefer dogs and other large mammals, including humans.
Behavior Patterns
Four-stage life cycle: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. They exhibit 'questing' behavior by climbing to the tips of grass or shrubs to wait for a host to pass by.
Risks & Benefits
A major risk to humans as they are primary vectors of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) and tularemia; they can also cause tick paralysis. They provide no significant benefits to humans.
Identified on: 6/11/2026