A closer look
Ticks can survive for up to two years without feeding, waiting patiently in the brush for a warm-blooded host to wander past; their extremely low metabolic rate allows them to endure long periods of starvation, entering a state of dormancy until they sense carbon dioxide and body heat, at which point they spring into action, serving as a terrifying reminder that some of the most dreadful parasites in nature are just incredibly patient introverts who will ruin your life the exact second you go for a peaceful hike
