Where does the moose tick live? - briefly
The moose tick inhabits boreal and subarctic forests of North America and Eurasia, where it parasitizes moose and other large mammals. It is most prevalent in Canada, Alaska, the northern United States, and the northern regions of Europe and Russia.
Where does the moose tick live? - in detail
The moose tick, Dermacentor albipictus, occupies boreal and sub‑arctic ecosystems across North America and parts of northern Europe. Its range extends from the Canadian Shield through the northern United States (Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Alaska) and reaches the Scandinavian taiga. Populations thrive where dense coniferous forests intersect with open meadows, providing both suitable microclimate and abundant hosts.
The tick’s life cycle is tightly linked to seasonal conditions:
- Egg stage: Laid in leaf litter or moss during late summer; requires temperatures between 5 °C and 30 °C and relative humidity above 80 % for successful development.
- Larval emergence: Occurs in spring when snow melt exposes the forest floor. Larvae climb vegetation and attach to passing ungulates, primarily moose.
- Feeding period: Larvae remain on the same host for the entire summer, molting to nymphs and then to adults while still attached. This one‑host strategy concentrates feeding on large cervids.
- Detachment: Adults drop off in autumn, fall to the ground, and seek sheltered sites to overwinter and complete egg production.
Host specificity is high but not exclusive. While moose constitute the primary blood source, the tick also feeds on elk, deer, caribou, and occasionally livestock. Human encounters are rare and usually incidental.
Environmental constraints limit distribution. Areas with prolonged snow cover protect overwintering stages, whereas regions lacking sufficient humidity or experiencing extreme temperature fluctuations suppress population growth. Consequently, dense, moist boreal forests with a reliable host presence represent the optimal habitat for this ectoparasite.