How to tell if a tick is alive? - briefly
Check for movement: a live tick will twitch its legs or shift its position when touched or warmed. A dead one remains motionless, feels dry and rigid, and often appears shriveled.
How to tell if a tick is alive? - in detail
To assess whether a tick is still living, observe the following indicators:
- Movement: A living specimen will display spontaneous or stimulated motion. Gently prod the body with a fine brush or a cotton swab; any twitching, leg extension, or crawling confirms vitality.
- Leg response: When the legs are brushed lightly, a viable tick will retract them quickly or flick them outward. In a dead tick, legs remain rigid and unresponsive.
- Respiratory activity: Look for a faint, rhythmic opening and closing of the spiracles (tiny breathing openings) on the underside. This may be visible as a subtle darkening and lightening near the ventral plates.
- Color change: Live ticks retain a moist, glossy appearance. A dead one often becomes dull, matte, and may exhibit desiccation or a brownish discoloration.
- Moisture retention: Press a small droplet of water onto the dorsal surface. A living tick will absorb the moisture, causing the droplet to spread or disappear. A dead tick repels the droplet, which beads and rolls off.
- Temperature reaction: Apply a warm object, such as a fingertip, near the tick. Living individuals may move away or lift their front legs in response to heat. No reaction suggests loss of function.
If multiple signs are present—especially movement or leg response—the tick can be classified as alive. Absence of all listed behaviors typically indicates that the organism is no longer viable.