Question and answerWorldwide

What are ticks?

Ticks are small arachnids related to spiders and mites. They are external parasites that feed on the blood of people and other animals.

Reviewed by VuxLore® Knowledge Team For Everyone

Short answer

Ticks are small arachnids related to spiders and mites. They are external parasites that feed on the blood of people and other animals.

At a glance

Ticks are not insects. Their life cycle and preferred hosts vary by species, and only some ticks carry pathogens that can cause disease.

Key takeaways

• Ticks are arachnids, not insects.

• They feed on animal or human hosts during parts of their life cycle.

• Finding a tick does not automatically mean disease has been transmitted.

Understanding ticks

Ticks are blood-feeding arachnids found in many environments around the world. Different species use different hosts and habitats. Some species can carry bacteria, viruses or parasites, but the presence of a tick alone does not show that it is infected.

Why identification and location matter

Species and disease risks differ by country and region. Use current advice from the relevant public-health or veterinary authority where the exposure occurred.