Hard ticks

Members of the Ixodidae family, commonly referred to as ticks, are often misunderstood creatures. Despite popular belief, these arachnids do not jump or fly to reach their hosts. Instead, they employ a behavior known as 'questing,' where they perch on the tips of grass or leaves with their legs outstretched, waiting to climb onto passing animals or humans. Renowned for their role in transmitting diseases such as Lyme disease, ticks are fascinating for their survival strategies; for instance, they can survive for years without a meal, subsisting through long periods of dormancy. This remarkable adaptation ensures their survival in diverse environments, underscoring their resilience and the importance of understanding their biological complexities.