Where does a moose tick live? - briefly
Moose ticks are found in boreal and subarctic forests of North America and Eurasia, where they attach to moose, especially on the legs and lower body during the warm months. Their distribution follows the range of their primary host.
Where does a moose tick live? - in detail
The moose‑associated tick, commonly known as the winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus), occupies the boreal and sub‑arctic zones of North America and northern Eurasia. Its range extends from Alaska through Canada, into the northern United States (Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin), and across Scandinavia into Russia. The species thrives in coniferous forests, mixed woodlands, and tundra environments where dense understory provides shelter and humidity.
During the off‑host phase, the tick resides in leaf litter, moss, and low vegetation. Moisture levels of 70 % – 90 % relative humidity and temperatures between 5 °C and 20 °C favor questing activity. Seasonal patterns dictate that larvae emerge in late summer, attach to hosts, and develop through nymph and adult stages over winter, completing a one‑year life cycle.
Key factors determining distribution:
- Host density: high populations of moose, elk, deer, and reindeer support larger tick numbers.
- Climate: cold winters combined with sufficient summer warmth enable development; extreme heat or aridity reduces survival.
- Altitude: typically below 1,500 m; higher elevations lack the necessary vegetation and host presence.
- Landscape fragmentation: continuous forest cover promotes spread, while open fields limit habitat suitability.
The tick’s life cycle is synchronized with host behavior. Larvae attach to moose during the summer molt, feeding for several weeks before dropping off to molt in the environment. Subsequent stages remain on the same host through the winter, reproducing in early spring before the next generation of larvae seeks new hosts.
Overall, the parasite’s habitat is confined to cool, humid forested regions where suitable ungulate hosts are abundant, with its geographic limits defined by temperature thresholds, humidity requirements, and host availability.