TBPS
Tick Identification (California)
Although numerous species of ticks exist, there are only about seven species of ticks that bite and transmit diseases in humans in the United States. In addition, both the tick species and the diseases they carry vary regionally. Our list focuses on tick species commonly found in California. Guides to identify other species can be found in the external links.
External Tick ID Links:
Pacific Coast Tick
The Pacific CoastTick, Dermacentor occidentalis, is found along trails from Oregon to northern Baja California and Mexico. Pacific Coast ticks are the most common tick found nearly throughout California. All life stages of this tick can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Rickettsia rickettsii) to humans, cats, and dogs. Nymphs and adults can transmit 364D rickettsiosis (Rickettsia phillipi) to humans, tularemia (Francisella tularensis) to humans, cats, and dogs, and bovine anaplasmosis to cattle. These ticks also have been implicated in cases of tick-bite paralysis in cattle, deer, and ponies.
adult female Pacific Coast Tick
