The spinose ear tick is a member of the Argasidae family commonly referred to as the soft ticks. This tick is widely distributed throughout North America, but is especially common in the arid southwestern United States. Infestations in South America and South Africa also have been reported. The spinose ear tick is most closely associated with cattle and livestock species, but can infest multiple wildlife species as well as companion animals. Extreme infestations can be burdensome for the host and difficult for animal producers to predict and control.