Deer Tick

Deer Ticks which are also known as the "black-legged tick" are found througout, but commonly found in central and eastern United States. Ticks are very tiny carnivores who live to aproximately 2 years. They are members of the arachnid family and are known for thier blood-sucking characteristics.

An interesting fact about ticks is that they go through four life phases: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. They feed on blood, but they only eat three times within their life span: once to molt from larva to nymph, once from nymph to adult, and finally once as adults to lay eggs. Once a tick becomes attached to it's host they will feed for a couple days expanding to twice it's size. After this has taken place the tick will release itself from the host, lay eggs, and die. Lyme disease is a big association with ticks. This disease has similar symptons as the flu, but lyme disease has proven more fatal. If the tick is carrying the disease it will leave a bulls-eye-shaped rash which will continue too grow if antibiotics are not taken. If no antibiotics are taken promblems such as paralysis, arthritis, and even nerological disorders can occur.