Ticks (suborder Ixodida) are widespread in the world and infect many animal species, including camels. On the host, ticks are known for their dual effects: the first direct, since they are strictly haematophagous, and the second indirect, because they are implicated in the transmission of certain animal diseases. However, tick infestation depends on several factors related to the environment and
... [Show full abstract] to the host. Different epidemiological conditions favoring the spread of certain diseases are encountered in different camel-farming systems of southern Tunisia. In this respect, followed tick infestation for camels in different herding methods, with the aim of developing an adapted strategy against these parasites. This work describes field observations of infestations in extensive ranches and from monitoring daily infestations of animals raised in semi-extensive and intensive systems. Our observations show that ticks parasitizing camels in southern Tunisia belong to the genus Hyalomma. The degree of camel infestation by ticks varies with the farming methods. In ranching, the degree of infestation depends on the areas grazed: it is more intense on low and salty paths, but it is low on dry and stony paths. Monitoring the kinetics of infestations in semi-extensive rearing in camels using more or less humid paths shows that the number of ticks per animal can exceed 100 individuals, whose distribution on the body of the animal depends on the season and the thinness skin of the animal's skin. In the intensive system, the infestation of camels is very low or even absent.
