Dog tick

Found in areas with high grass, brush, and wooded trails where hosts are readily accessible.

Strictly parasitic, feeding exclusively on the blood of vertebrate hosts across various life stages.

Waits on vegetation in a questing posture to latch onto passing hosts. Requires three blood meals to complete its multi-year life cycle.

Acts as a vector for pathogens causing Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. Offers no known ecological benefits to humans.