SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED MAMMALS AS PREDATORS OF TICKS (IXODOIDEA) IN SOUTH-AFRICA

A total of 1,640 stomach contents from 56 South African species of sma ll and medium sized mammals were examined for ticks. Only six ticks we re found in three specimens of the caracal Felis caracal. Although ide ntification of the tick species was not possible owing to fragmentatio n and partial digestion, the genus Haemaphysalis was represented in fo ur of these cases. We conclude that predation by small and medium size d mammals on ticks is uncommon in South Africa.