Brown Dog Tick

Rhipicephalus sanguineus

Appearance

•  This tick can be recognised by its by red-brown colour.
•  It has an elongated body shape, and hexagonal basis capituli (false head – where mouthparts are attached).

Lifecycle

•  The dog tick is a 3-host tick, so must change host between the 3 stages of growth (larva, nymph and adult).
•  They require only three blood meals to complete development; once at each growth stage.
•  The complete life cycle from egg to adult can take two months, depending on climate conditions and number of available hosts.
•  The entire life cycle may ba completed indoors.

Habits

•  It is found on dogs, in kennels and houses, and occasionally on wildlife, but rarely on humans.
•  In warm areas several generations of tick can be expected per year.
•  The most common places for attachment on dogs are those areas the animal is unable to groom easily. They are commonly found on the head and neck, especially in the ears, between the toes, under the shoulder, and on the belly.