What do ticks eat? - briefly
Ticks are obligate hematophages, feeding solely on the blood of vertebrate hosts—including mammals, birds, and reptiles. They attach to the host’s skin and draw blood through a specialized mouthpart.
What do ticks eat? - in detail
Ticks are obligate hematophages, obtaining nutrients exclusively from the blood of vertebrate hosts. Their life cycle comprises three active stages—larva, nymph, and adult—each requiring a single blood meal before molting or reproduction. Larvae emerge from eggs unfed and typically seek small mammals, birds, or reptiles; the blood volume ingested is modest, sufficient to support development into the nymphal stage. Nymphs, larger than larvae, broaden their host range to include medium‑sized mammals and ground‑dwelling birds, acquiring a more substantial meal that fuels the transition to adulthood. Adult females, the only sex that feeds repeatedly, target larger mammals such as deer, livestock, or humans, engorging to many times their unfed weight to accumulate the proteins and lipids necessary for egg production. Males may feed opportunistically but often focus on mating rather than nutrition.
Feeding involves a complex apparatus: the hypostome, equipped with backward‑pointing barbs, anchors the tick to host tissue; chelicerae cut the skin; and the salivary glands secrete anticoagulants, immunomodulators, and anti‑inflammatory compounds that maintain blood flow for extended periods ranging from several hours to days. This prolonged attachment enables the acquisition of not only nutrients but also potential pathogens, which are transmitted during the feeding process.
Two major tick families exhibit distinct feeding strategies. Hard ticks (Ixodidae) attach for days, swelling dramatically as they ingest blood, then detach to digest and reproduce. Soft ticks (Argasidae) feed briefly—often minutes—multiple times per day, storing blood in a crop for later digestion. Some soft species also ingest plant fluids or detritus when hosts are unavailable, but such behavior remains ancillary to their primary hematophagy.
Host selection is guided by environmental cues: carbon dioxide, heat, and host movement trigger questing behavior. Seasonal activity patterns dictate which hosts are available, influencing the composition of a tick’s diet across its developmental stages. Nutrient composition of the blood—particularly protein, iron, and lipids—directly impacts fecundity; adult females that acquire larger, protein‑rich meals produce more eggs, enhancing population growth.
In summary, ticks rely solely on vertebrate blood throughout their development, with each life stage adapted to specific host sizes and feeding durations. Their specialized mouthparts, salivary secretions, and behavioral cues ensure successful acquisition of the necessary nutrients for growth, reproduction, and pathogen transmission.