The brown dog tick is which species?

The brown dog tick is which species?

• A. Ixodes dammini
• B. Dermacentor albipictus
• C. Rhipicephalus sanguineus
• D. Dermacentor variabilis

Answer: (C)

The brown dog tick is Rhipicephalus sanguineus. This species is characteristically reddish-brown, relatively small to medium in size, and most commonly found on dogs—often even in indoor environments like homes and kennels. That host preference and color solidify its identity as the brown dog tick. The other options describe different ticks: Ixodes dammini (deer tick) is very small and associated with wildlife and humans; Dermacentor albipictus (winter tick) is larger and typically found on large mammals; Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) is larger with distinctive patterns and is more often found outdoors.

The brown dog tick is Rhipicephalus sanguineus. This species is characteristically reddish-brown, relatively small to medium in size, and most commonly found on dogs—often even in indoor environments like homes and kennels. That host preference and color solidify its identity as the brown dog tick. The other options describe different ticks: Ixodes dammini (deer tick) is very small and associated with wildlife and humans; Dermacentor albipictus (winter tick) is larger and typically found on large mammals; Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) is larger with distinctive patterns and is more often found outdoors.