How does a tick look when biting? - briefly
When a tick is feeding, it looks like a tiny, dark, flattened disc glued to the skin, often appearing as a small black dot. Its mouthparts (the hypostome) are inserted into the host and may be seen as a minute, pointed projection.
How does a tick look when biting? - in detail
A feeding tick is visibly enlarged compared to its unfed state. The body swells to many times its original size as blood fills the abdomen, giving a rounded, balloon‑like silhouette. The dorsal surface appears glossy and may change color from light brown to a darker, reddish‑brown hue. The ventral side shows the mouthparts—two barbed hypostomes—embedded in the host’s skin, often visible as a small, pale protrusion at the center of the attachment site.
Key visual characteristics:
- Size: Length can increase from 2‑3 mm to 10‑12 mm or more; width expands proportionally.
- Shape: The tick’s back becomes convex, losing the flat profile typical of an unfed specimen.
- Color: Darkening occurs due to blood engorgement; the cuticle may appear almost black in heavily fed individuals.
- Mouthparts: The hypostome remains anchored, with the capitulum (mouthpart capsule) sometimes visible as a tiny, lighter spot at the feeding point.
- Legs: Legs are often tucked close to the body, making the tick appear smoother and less spiny.
The attachment site on the host’s skin usually shows a small, circular puncture surrounded by a clear zone where the tick’s saliva has prevented clotting. This area may be slightly raised, with the tick’s body covering it like a cap. The overall impression is that of a soft, swollen, darkened arachnid firmly attached to the skin, with minimal movement of the legs once fully engorged.