How many centimeters long is a tick? - briefly
Adult ticks measure roughly 0.3 cm to 1 cm, with certain species extending to about 1.5 cm when fully engorged. Unfed nymphs are typically under 0.2 cm in length.
How many centimeters long is a tick? - in detail
Ticks are small arachnids whose body length typically ranges from 0.2 cm to 0.5 cm when fully engorged. The size varies among life stages and species:
- Larvae (seed ticks): 0.15–0.25 cm, unengorged; after feeding they expand to about 0.3 cm.
- Nymphs: 0.2–0.3 cm unengorged; fully fed nymphs reach 0.4–0.6 cm.
- Adult females: 0.3–0.5 cm before feeding; after a blood meal they can stretch to 0.8–1.2 cm.
- Adult males: 0.3–0.5 cm, rarely enlarge significantly after feeding.
Species differences are pronounced. For example, the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) usually measures 0.3–0.5 cm, while the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) stays within 0.2–0.4 cm. The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) can exceed 0.6 cm when engorged.
Measurements are taken with calibrated microscopes or digital calipers, reporting the dorsal body length from the anterior margin of the capitulum to the posterior edge of the idiosoma. Length is expressed in centimeters (1 mm = 0.1 cm) to align with standard metric conventions.
In summary, an unfed tick measures roughly 0.2–0.5 cm; after a blood meal, the size can increase to 0.8–1.2 cm depending on stage and species.