What do ear ticks feed on? - briefly
Ear ticks (Otodectes cynotis) feed on the host’s ear canal debris, including skin flakes, wax, and blood.
What do ear ticks feed on? - in detail
Ear ticks, specifically the species Otodectes cynotis, obtain nourishment primarily from the material that lines the external ear canal. The adult mite uses its chelicerae to scrape epidermal cells, ingesting the resulting debris along with cerumen (earwax). This mixture supplies proteins, lipids, and trace minerals essential for growth and reproduction. In addition to skin flakes, the mites occasionally draw minute amounts of blood when their mouthparts breach superficial capillaries, providing supplemental iron and hemoglobin.
The feeding pattern varies with developmental stage. Larvae rely almost exclusively on the soft epidermal tissue that continuously sheds from the host’s ear canal lining. As they mature into nymphs and adults, their diet expands to include larger fragments of cerumen and occasional blood meals, which support the increased metabolic demands of egg production.
Hosts that support this parasite include:
- Domestic dogs
- Domestic cats
- Ferrets
- Rabbits
- Occasionally wild carnivores such as foxes
- Rarely humans, when exposed to heavily infested animals
Each host supplies a similar nutritional environment: a moist, warm canal rich in keratinous debris and secretions. The mite’s ability to thrive hinges on the constant renewal of these resources; prolonged irritation or blockage of the ear canal reduces food availability and can lead to mite mortality.
Understanding the exact composition of the mite’s diet informs treatment strategies. Anti‑parasitic agents that disrupt the mite’s ability to digest keratin or interfere with blood‑feeding mechanisms accelerate eradication. Additionally, cleaning the ear canal to remove excess wax and debris deprives the parasites of their primary food source, enhancing the efficacy of chemical controls.