Often found clinging to the tips of grasses and shrubs, ornate sheep tick exhibits a unique questing behavior, where it patiently awaits the approach of a host. Sporting a distinctive pattern on its back, it surreptitiously latches onto the unsuspecting host to feed. As an ectoparasite, it has evolved a complex saliva that not only facilitates blood-feeding but also can transmit various pathogens, a subject of significant study due to its role in the ecosystem and impact on wildlife health.

The american dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) is a vector for several diseases that include Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Contrary to popular belief, they are not known harborers of Lyme Disease. This tick must stay attached for a period of up to 8 hours before diseases can spread.

The pacific coast tick (Dermacentor occidentalis) is a human-biting tick that is often found in grasslands and shrublands. At all life stages, this tick can transmit Rock Mountain spotted fever to humans, dogs, and cats. Additionally, it has been known to cause tick bite paralysis for cows, deer, and ponies.

This particular species is distinguished by a unique pattern of ornate marks on its dorsal shield. Found primarily in habitats with high humidity and moderate climates, ornate cow tick tends to frequent areas with dense underbrush, where it can readily attach to passing hosts. As it develops from larva to nymph, and finally to adult, its dietary requirements necessitate the consumption of blood, primarily from mammals. However, its preference for larger hosts emerges as it reaches maturity.

The australian paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) produces neurotoxins that, as the name suggests, paralyze the host. Females are the most active, as they can feed on 6 to 30 days until they are engorged enough to support their young. Males usually use a host to find a female australian paralysis tick. After impregnating the female, the male generally dies. The female can lay up to 3000 eggs.

The eastern black-legged tick got its common name from its tendency to attach itself as a parasite to white-tailed deer. It is a vector for several animal and human diseases, including Lyme disease and Powassan virus. Humans are most likely to get bitten by ticks in the nymph stage, when they are smaller and hard to see. Humans also get bitten most often during the summer.

The castor bean tick (Ixodes ricinus) is known for carrying viral pathogens that cause Encephalitis and Lyme Disease. Much like other Ixodes, it has no eyes. Instead, they have sensory structures on their front legs and can smell a good host. They have a three-host lifecycle that lasts 2 to 3 years. Their hosts include horses, dogs, sheep, and humans.

Within the temperate forests and grasslands, western Blacklegged Tick have adapted to a life that crucially depends on blood meals, sourced from a variety of hosts during their various growth stages. These ectoparasites embody a fascinating exemplar of disease vectors, carrying pathogens like the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. They exhibit a remarkable change from immature stages, preferring lizards as their primary hosts, to adults primarily seeking larger warm-blooded animals. Their ability to navigate diverse habitats and host environments underscores their resilience and ecological adaptability.