# Lone Star Tick (*Amblyomma americanum*) The Lone Star Tick is a small tick that can be found in grassy and wooded areas. They are known for the white spot on their back, which looks like a star! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 19 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Lone Star Tick](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Amblyomma_americanum_tick.jpg&width=800) Photo: Photo Credit: James Gathany Content Providers(s): CDC/ Michael L. Levin, Ph. D., Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amblyomma_americanum_tick.jpg) ## Appearance The Lone Star Tick is a reddish-brown arachnid with an oval body. Females have a distinctive silvery-white spot on their back, resembling a star, which is absent in males. Its long mouthparts make it unique. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Arachnida - **Order:** Ixodida - **Family:** Ixodidae - **Genus:** Amblyomma ## Interesting facts - Lone Star Ticks are known for actively "questing," meaning they crawl towards moving shadows or warmth. - The tiny larva stage is sometimes called a "seed tick" because it looks like a speck of pepper. - These small ticks can survive over a year without needing any food! - They go through four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult, each needing a blood meal. ## Special abilities - **Super Sniffer:** Lone Star Tick can find animals and people using carbon dioxide and body heat sensors, helping them locate a blood meal. - **Anchor Mouth:** Lone Star Tick has barbed mouthparts that securely anchor them to their host, making them difficult to remove once attached. - **Healing Blocker:** Lone Star Tick releases special saliva that prevents blood from clotting and numbs the bite, helping them feed undetected for a long time. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 3-10 mm - **Lifespan:** 300-700 days - **Leg Count:** 8 ## Diet & Feeding These tiny arachnids survive by drinking the blood of mammals and birds. - **Age differences:** Larvae, nymphs, and adults all feed on blood, but prefer different-sized hosts. - **Primary Foods:** deer blood, cattle blood, human blood, dog blood, bird blood, rodent blood - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Feeds on the blood of white-tailed deer. - **Parasitizes:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Bites humans and can transmit diseases. - **Parasitizes:** [Domestic Dog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-dog) (*Canis familiaris*) — Attaches to dogs, feeding on their blood. - **Parasitizes:** [House Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-mouse) (*Mus musculus*) — Nymphs and larvae often feed on small rodents. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Parasitic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/parasitic): This trait describes organisms that live on or in a host organism, obtaining nutrients at the host's expense. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Always check for ticks after playing outside, and tell an adult if you find one. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Lone Star Tick? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is Lone Star Tick? 3-10 mm ### How long does Lone Star Tick live? 300-700 days ### What does Lone Star Tick eat? These tiny arachnids survive by drinking the blood of mammals and birds. ### Where is Lone Star Tick usually found? Forests ### How does Lone Star Tick hunt? Ambush ### How many legs does Lone Star Tick have? 8 ## Where to spot - [Cedarville State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedarville-state-forest) — Maryland, US · Forest - [Downtown Quincy Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-quincy-historic-district) — Illinois, US · Historic District - [Fort Monroe National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-monroe-national-monument) — Virginia, US · National Park - [Green Animals Topiary Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/green-animals-topiary-garden) — Rhode Island, US · Botanical Garden - [Harriman Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/harriman-historic-district) — New Jersey, US · Historic District - [Isaac Franklin Plantation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/isaac-franklin-plantation) — Tennessee, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Lone Star Tick](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/lone-star-tick) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Lone Star Tick: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lone-star-tick)