On whom do ticks parasitize? - briefly
Ticks feed on a broad spectrum of vertebrate hosts, especially mammals, birds, and reptiles, with many species showing a preference for particular animals such as rodents, deer, or humans. Host selection is driven by factors like host size, habitat, and the tick’s life stage.
On whom do ticks parasitize? - in detail
Ticks are obligate ectoparasites that obtain nutrition by feeding on the blood of vertebrate animals. All active stages—larva, nymph, and adult—require a host, but each stage shows distinct preferences.
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Larvae: Typically feed on small mammals such as rodents (e.g., mice, voles), shrews, and occasionally ground‑dwelling birds. In some regions, reptile and amphibian larvae are recorded, especially for species that specialize on ectothermic hosts.
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Nymphs: Expand their host range to medium‑sized mammals (e.g., raccoons, foxes, hares) and larger birds (e.g., ground‑nesting species). Certain nymphs of Ixodes spp. also parasitize domestic animals like dogs and cats, providing a bridge to human exposure.
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Adults: Prefer large mammals, including ungulates (deer, elk, sheep), carnivores (wolves, coyotes), and humans. Female ticks, which require a larger blood meal for egg production, are especially attracted to hosts with abundant skin surface and stable attachment points.
Domestic and peri‑urban hosts: Dogs, cats, cattle, horses, and poultry regularly support tick populations, often facilitating the spread of tick‑borne pathogens to humans and wildlife.
Human involvement: Humans serve as accidental hosts for many tick species, especially during the nymphal and adult stages. Exposure correlates with outdoor activities in tick‑infested habitats and the presence of reservoir hosts nearby.
Host specificity: While some tick species exhibit strict host fidelity (e.g., Ornithodoros spp. on rodents), others are generalists, feeding opportunistically across taxonomic groups. Geographic distribution influences host availability, shaping local host‑tick associations.
Ecological context: Tick survival and reproduction depend on the density and diversity of suitable vertebrate hosts. Habitat fragmentation, wildlife management, and domestic animal husbandry directly affect host composition, thereby altering tick population dynamics and disease risk.