Shelter-habitats
Guides
Argasidae
soft ticks, soft-backed ticks, argasid ticks
Argasidae, commonly known as soft ticks, is one of three extant families of ticks (Ixodida), alongside Ixodidae (hard ticks) and the monotypic Nuttalliellidae. The family contains approximately 220 species in 17 genera, though taxonomic composition remains unresolved due to conflicting morphological and molecular phylogenies. Soft ticks are distinguished from hard ticks by the absence of a hard scutum (dorsal shield), a ventrally positioned gnathosoma (mouthparts-bearing structure) that is not visible from above, and rounded lateral body edges. They exhibit remarkable physiological adaptations including extreme desiccation resistance, longevity (documented up to 27 years in laboratory conditions), and the ability to survive years without feeding. Soft ticks are primarily associated with shelter habitats such as animal burrows, nests, and rock crevices, and are less commonly encountered by humans than hard ticks.