How do ticks reproduce and what do they feed on? - briefly
Female ticks mate on a host; after a blood meal the engorged female deposits thousands of eggs in the surrounding habitat. All developmental stages—larva, nymph, and adult—obtain nourishment by sucking blood from mammals, birds, or reptiles.
How do ticks reproduce and what do they feed on? - in detail
Ticks reproduce through a complex life cycle that includes four stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. After mating, a fertilized female deposits thousands of eggs on the ground, often in leaf litter or soil. The eggs hatch into six-legged larvae, which seek a host for a brief blood meal. Once engorged, larvae detach, molt, and become eight‑legged nymphs. Nymphs locate a second host, feed, then drop off to molt into adults. Adult females require a final, larger blood meal to develop eggs; after feeding, they lay a new batch of eggs and die. Males typically feed less and focus on locating females for copulation.
Feeding behavior is strictly hematophagous. Each stage attaches to a vertebrate host—mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians—using specialized mouthparts that pierce the skin and secrete anti‑coagulant saliva. The blood meal provides nutrients for growth, molting, and egg production. Ticks can remain attached for several days to weeks, depending on species and developmental stage. Some species exhibit host specificity, while others are generalists, feeding on a wide range of animals, including humans. Their saliva also transmits pathogens, making the feeding process a critical factor in disease transmission.