Rhipicentor spp

The genus Rhipicentor is composed of two species, namely R bicornis and R nuttalli, and both are found only in Africa south of the Sahara. R bicornis feeds on goats, cattle, horses, dogs, and carnivores in southern and central Africa. R nuttalli has a widespread distribution in South Africa. Immature stages feed on elephant shrews. The preferred hosts of the adults are domestic dogs, leopards, and South African hedgehogs. The life cycle of these ticks probably takes a year to complete in the field.