Ixodes cookei, commonly known as the groundhog tick, is a parasitic arachnid primarily found in North America. It inhabits grassy and wooded areas, often attaching to hosts like groundhogs and other mammals. These ticks are known vectors for Powassan virus, a rare but serious disease affecting humans.

Ixodes cookei, commonly known as the groundhog tick, is native to North America. Its geographical distribution primarily includes the northeastern United States, parts of the midwestern United States, and southeastern Canada. It is found in countries such as the United States and Canada, with specific regions including states like New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and provinces like Ontario and Quebec.

Ixodes cookei typically inhabits forested areas, fields, and regions with dense vegetation. It thrives in environments that provide ample cover and humidity, which are crucial for its survival and reproduction. These areas often have a temperate climate with distinct seasonal changes, including cold winters and warm summers.

The ecological niche of Ixodes cookei involves parasitizing small to medium-sized mammals, most notably groundhogs (Marmota monax), from which it gets its common name. It is also known to parasitize other mammals, birds, and occasionally humans. The tick's role in the ecosystem includes being a vector for certain pathogens, although it is not as significant a vector for Lyme disease as some other Ixodes species.