How long does a tick live underwater? - briefly
Ticks cannot survive prolonged immersion; most species die within a few hours, generally 2–4 hours, while a few may persist up to about a day under optimal conditions.
How long does a tick live underwater? - in detail
Ticks are arachnids that respire through a pair of spiracles located on the underside of the body. When immersed, the spiracles close, limiting gas exchange and creating an anaerobic environment. Survival time underwater therefore depends on species, developmental stage, temperature, and water quality.
Experimental observations indicate the following approximate survival periods:
- Larvae and nymphs: 2–6 hours in fresh water at 20 °C; up to 12 hours in cold (≈5 °C) water.
- Adult females: 4–10 hours in temperate water; up to 24 hours when water is near freezing.
- Adult males: 3–8 hours under similar conditions; slightly shorter than females due to smaller body mass.
Factors influencing these durations:
- Temperature – lower temperatures reduce metabolic rate, extending anaerobic tolerance.
- Oxygen concentration – stagnant, low‑oxygen water accelerates suffocation.
- Water purity – presence of contaminants can impair cuticular integrity, shortening survival.
- Species variation – hard‑tick genera (e.g., Ixodes) generally endure longer submersion than soft‑tick genera (e.g., Ornithodoros).
When the tick resurfaces, it can recover if the submersion period has not exceeded its anaerobic limit. Beyond the thresholds listed above, irreversible damage to the tracheal system and cellular structures occurs, leading to death. Consequently, ticks are not adapted for prolonged aquatic exposure, and their underwater lifespan is measured in hours rather than days.