Ticks are ectoparasites and consume blood to satisfy all of their nutritional requirements. They are obligate hematophagous, and require blood to survive and move from one stage of life to another.

Ticks can fast for long periods of time, but eventually die if unable to find a host.

Ticks find their hosts by detecting an animals' breath and body odors, sensing body heat, moisture, or vibrations.

A common misconception about ticks is they jump onto their host or they fall from trees, however, they are incapable of flying or jumping.

Many tick species, particularly Ixodidae, lie in wait in a position known as "questing".

Ticks cling to leaves and grasses by their third and fourth pairs of legs. They hold the first pair of legs outstretched, waiting to grasp and climb on to any passing host.

Tick questing heights tend to be correlated with the size of the desired host; nymphs and small species tend to quest close to the ground, where they may encounter small mammalian or bird hosts; adults climb higher into the vegetation, where larger hosts may be encountered.