American Dog Tick (Male) - Dermacentor variabilis

Adult male American Dog tick - 8 legs, reddish brown in color with a patterned scutum. I found 2 males clinging to grass in a meadow. No females in sight, so I assume they are *patiently* waiting...

Adult dog ticks are active April to August, and can be found questing in tall grass or low lying brush. They typically feed on medium-sized hosts, such as raccoons, skunks, coyotes, domestic dogs, cats, and humans as well. The male ticks blood feed briefly, but do not become engorged. Dog ticks can survive for up to 2 years (at any stage in their life cycle) if no host is found.