Ticks

Ticks are small creatures related to spiders. They feed on the blood of animals and sometimes people. Ticks attach to a host and feed for days before dropping off. They are found in grassy and wooded areas around the world.

How Ticks Feed

Ticks wait on grass or leaves with their front legs stretched out, ready to grab a passing animal. This is called questing. Once they find a host, they use their mouthparts to cut the skin and drink blood. A tick can swell to many times its normal size after feeding.

Staying Safe from Ticks

It is important to check for ticks after playing outside in grassy or wooded areas. Wearing long pants and using insect repellent helps keep ticks away. If you find a tick on your skin, an adult should remove it carefully with tweezers. Ticks can be removed safely if caught early.

Fun Facts

• Ticks are not insects. They are arachnids, related to spiders and scorpions.
• A tick can drink blood for up to 10 days before dropping off its host.
• Some ticks can survive for over a year without eating.

Did You Know?

Ticks have been around for at least 90 million years. Scientists have found ticks preserved in amber that once fed on dinosaurs!