Can ticks live on humans?

Ticks can live and feed on humans, mammals, reptiles, birds and even frogs, according to Clemson University. The larva of a tick will find a host and begin feeding until it is full, at which time it will either fall off or continue living on the host.

Ticks are not insects. They are parasites, which means they need a host to live and reproduce. Ticks can spread a variety of serious diseases, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. More than 80 different species of ticks live in the United States, but only a few of these ever come in contact with humans.