Which group of animals defines the common host preference for adult *D. variabilis*?
Answer
Medium to large mammals.
As the American Dog Tick (*Dermacentor variabilis*) matures into its adult stage, its feeding targets transition from small mammals to substantially larger hosts. This shift is necessary to secure the large blood volume required for final maturation and reproductive preparedness. Typical hosts for adult *D. variabilis* encompass a wide range of medium to large mammals, commonly including domestic animals like dogs, as well as wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, coyotes, horses, cattle, and humans. This broad host tolerance contributes significantly to the widespread geographic distribution observed for this particular species across North America.
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