[2] The brown dog tick is easily recognized by its reddish-brown color, elongated body shape, and hexagonal basis capituli (flat surface where mouthparts are attached).

After two weeks, they develop into adults and attach to another host where they continue to ingest blood, followed by a period of mating.

[5] Rhipicephalus sanguineus can acquire bacterial or protozoal causative agents of disease at any of these life stages.

[6] Rhipicephalus sanguineus feeds on a wide variety of mammals, but dogs are the preferred host in the U.S., and the population can reach pest proportions in houses and kennels.

[2] It can also transmit Rickettsia rickettsii, the bacteria responsible for causing Rocky Mountain spotted fever in humans in the Southwestern United States.