Widely distributed throughout the western hemisphere. Adult and nympal ticks present year-round although most common in the spring. Larval ticks are found spring, summer and fall.

Adults feed exclusively on rabbits. Larvae and nymphs tend to feed on rodents and ground frequenting birds.

Important in maintaining Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Tularemia in reservoir animals in nature but does not transmit these diseases to humans since this tick does not bite humans.