American Dog Tick

Description:

Small tick with a ring of silver behind the head, the markings of the female. A male has lines from front to back on either side of the body. This species is know for carrying, and transmitting Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Habitat:

I probably picked this up from some tall grasses at a nearby park.

Notes:

I exterminate parasites, so this specimen was destroyed. However, every other non-parasitic bug is released after capture. I was lucky enough to get the second pic after pulling an engorged bloodsucker off of an actual dog.