Dermacentor andersoni, commonly known as the Rocky Mountain wood tick, inhabits grassy and shrubby areas in the Rocky Mountains. It is known for its ornate, patterned scutum and can transmit diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The tick's lifecycle involves parasitizing mammals, which aids in its role in the ecosystem.

Dermacentor andersoni, commonly known as the Rocky Mountain wood tick, is native to the western United States and parts of Canada. Its geographical distribution includes regions such as the Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains, and the Pacific Northwest. Specifically, it is found in states like Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and extends into British Columbia and Alberta in Canada.

Dermacentor andersoni typically inhabits regions with semi-arid conditions, often found in grassy, shrubby, or wooded areas. These environments provide the necessary conditions for the tick's life cycle, including adequate humidity and vegetation for questing and feeding.

As a parasitic arachnid, the Rocky Mountain wood tick occupies an ecological niche that involves feeding on the blood of mammalian hosts, including livestock, wildlife, and occasionally humans. It plays a role in the ecosystem as both a parasite and a vector for diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.