The Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) is found worldwide, more commonly in warmer climates, including the Coachella Valley. This species of tick can complete its entire cycle indoors.  It feeds on a wide variety of mammals, but dogs are the preferred host.  It has recently been identified as a reservoir of Rickettsia rickettsia, (unicellular pathogen) causing Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in the southwestern U.S. and along the U.S.-Mexico border.