The small animals are hardly visible in the grass.

The German Nature Conservation Union ( NABU) is calling on citizens to report any ticks they find. Anyone who discovers one of these eight-legged creatures, for example, in the back of the knee or armpit, can take a photo and report it online to the NABU Nature Watcher . Ticks should always be removed first and then photographed, NABU explains. The campaign is being conducted in collaboration with the Hannover Veterinary School (TiHo). Pet owners should also report ticks found on dogs and cats.

"We would like to investigate how the geographical distribution of brown ticks and other tick species in Germany is evolving in the wake of climate change," said Christina Strube of the university, according to a statement.

The photos are important because it's not easy to distinguish between the species. "It's best to photograph the ticks from both the top and bottom so we can identify them."

According to the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU), there are 20 tick species in Germany. Through their bites, they can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Due to climate change, ticks from the Mediterranean and Southeastern Europe could spread to our country with new pathogens.

The data will also help determine which animal species are most frequently infested by which tick species and which body regions are most frequently affected. People with dogs and cats, in particular, are therefore encouraged to participate in the reporting campaign.