Ticks are parasites of vertebrates, or animals with backbones, like us, dogs, deer, and birds. Ticks have 2 body regions: an unsegmented abdomen and a cephalothorax. Their body is oval and minute, and they have 8 legs but no antennae.
In Wyoming, people primarily send two types of ticks to our diagnostics lab for identification. Being parasitic, both types, listed below, are unwanted, but specific species of ticks are of greater health concern to humans than other species. Of the two ticks listed below, only one transmits disease to humans. Follow the links for additional information on ticks and the diseases certain species transmit to humans through their bite.
These are the main ticks of health concern to citizens of Wyoming.
Minor Concern
 Winter Tick |
Major Concern
 Rocky Mountain Wood Tick |
