Ticks are arachnids, along with mites. Ticks are external parasites feeding on the blood of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Almost all ticks belong to the class of hard ticks or soft ticks. Adults have pear-shaped bodies, which become engorged with blood and eight legs tipped with claws. Because of their habit of ingesting blood, ticks can transmit at least 12 diseases that affect humans and other animals. Ticks are extremely tough, hardy, and resilient animals. They have been found in Antarctica feeding on penguins. Ticks receive nutritional requirements by feeding on a diet of blood. The blood is needed to survive and progress from one stage of life to another. Ticks can detect animals’ breath and body heat. Ticks are incapable of flying or jumping, but will cling to leaves and grasses and attach to their host as they walk by. Ticks feed primarily on birds and mammals. They typically bite and drink their fill within minutes, the tick stays in place until it is completely engorged. Its weight may increase by 200 to 600 times as compared to its weight before it started feeding. When ticks attach to a bird hosts, they can be transported across the sea. Many ticks have extended their habitat as a direct result of the movements of people, and their pets. If ticks are stressing you and your animals email Sniper Services and we can put an end to your tick problem.