The size of the ticks is typically between 0.11 and 15-20 mm. Some species of ticks are saprofagi (feeding on decaying substances of plant and animal origin), others are predators, and third ones are parasites on plants, animals and humans.

Ticks are mostly temporary or permanent external bloodsucking parasites. Few of them are intradermal and internal parasites. Bloodsucking ticks fed rare – usually once at each phase of their development.

In connection with the blood sucking their salivary glands secrete a substance that prevents blood clotting. Ticks are separate-sex animals with pronounced sexual dimorphism. From their eggs larvas are hatched, which differ from the adult forms with that they have three pairs of legs.