How to identify a Rabbit tick
Haemaphysalis leporispalustris
· Also called haemaphysalis, bunny tick
People searching “what does a rabbit tick look like” or “rabbit tick bite” want a field ID, not a scare. Rabbit tick (Haemaphysalis leporispalustris) is a ticks in this guide. Also called haemaphysalis, bunny tick.
A tiny brown tick on a beagle that hunts rabbits may be this species, not a deer tick.
What does a rabbit tick look like?
Rabbit tick is Small, nymphs tiny. Colors people notice: brown. Field marks: Small and inornate; Short mouthparts; Often on rabbits or birds, sometimes people.
Rabbit tick is Small, nymphs tiny. Colors people notice: brown. Field marks: Small and inornate; Short mouthparts; Often on rabbits or birds, sometimes people. If the marks fail, open the look-alike pages before forcing this name.
Identification marks
- Small and inornate
- Short mouthparts
- Often on rabbits or birds, sometimes people
Size: Small, nymphs tiny
Colors: brown
Where: outdoor
What a typical rabbit tick bite looks like
A small attached tick. Fever after a bite still needs care. Do not assume Lyme the way you would with a deer tick. Fine tweezers, pull straight out Save the tick in a bag with the date
A small attached tick. Fever after a bite still needs care. Do not assume Lyme the way you would with a deer tick. Fever, spreading redness, or trouble breathing needs a clinician.
If you were bitten
- Fine tweezers, pull straight out
- Save the tick in a bag with the date
- Watch 30 days for rash or fever
- Ask a clinician about prophylaxis if it was attached a long time in a high-risk area
Rabbit tick vs Deer tick
Long mouthparts and poppy-seed nymph in the Northeast = deer tick. Short mouthparts on a rabbit-hunting dog = rabbit tick until a lab says otherwise.
- Deer tick identification (Ixodes scapularis)
- Asian longhorned tick identification (Haemaphysalis longicornis)
- American dog tick identification (Dermacentor variabilis)
Range and season
Rabbit tick is active warm months. Typical places: woods, brush. Small tick of rabbits and birds. People are occasional hosts. Not the main Lyme tick.
Brush and rabbit country in the East and South.
Small tick of rabbits and birds. People are occasional hosts. Not the main Lyme tick.
Warm months
Common questions
Does the rabbit tick carry Lyme?
It is not the Ixodes Lyme tick. Save it anyway.
Rabbit tick vs deer tick?
Deer ticks have longer mouthparts. Rabbit ticks are smaller-mouthed Haemaphysalis.