Where do ticks live worldwide? - briefly
Ticks occur on all continents except Antarctica, occupying forests, grasslands, scrublands, and urban green spaces. They prefer humid microhabitats such as leaf litter, tall vegetation, and animal burrows where hosts are abundant.
Where do ticks live worldwide? - in detail
Ticks occupy a broad range of habitats across all continents except Antarctica. Their presence is linked to climate, vegetation, and host availability.
In temperate zones, species such as Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor variabilis thrive in deciduous and mixed forests, grasslands, and shrublands where humidity exceeds 70 % during the active season. Leaf litter and moss provide microclimates that protect immature stages from desiccation. These regions include most of Europe, the eastern United States, parts of East Asia, and southern South America.
In subtropical and tropical regions, hard ticks (Amblyomma spp., Rhipicephalus spp.) dominate. They inhabit savannas, tropical rainforests, and open woodlands, often near livestock or wildlife corridors. High temperatures combined with moderate to high humidity support year‑round activity. Notable areas are sub‑Saharan Africa, northern Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Amazon basin.
Arid and semi‑arid environments host xerophilic species such as Hyalomma spp., which tolerate low humidity by seeking shelter under rocks, animal burrows, or in shaded crevices. These ticks are common in the Middle East, Central Asia, the Sahel, and the southwestern United States.
Marine and coastal habitats are generally unsuitable, but some islands with suitable vegetation and host mammals support localized populations, for example, the Galápagos and various Caribbean islands.
Key factors determining local distribution:
- Climate: Minimum temperature of 5–10 °C and relative humidity above 50 % are required for most stages.
- Host density: Presence of mammals, birds, or reptiles that serve as blood meals.
- Vegetation structure: Dense understory, leaf litter, or grass provide shelter.
- Altitude: Many species are limited to elevations below 2,500 m; however, some Ixodes species occur at higher altitudes in mountainous regions.
Overall, ticks are found wherever suitable microclimates and hosts intersect, spanning forests, grasslands, savannas, deserts, and high‑altitude meadows across the globe, with the exception of polar ice caps and true desert interiors lacking moisture.