What do ticks look like on a hedgehog? - briefly
Ticks appear as tiny, oval, dark brown or reddish spots attached to the hedgehog’s spines or skin, often slightly raised and engorged after feeding. They can be distinguished by their smooth, hard bodies and visible legs when examined closely.
What do ticks look like on a hedgehog? - in detail
Ticks that attach to hedgehogs are small arachnids, typically ranging from 2 mm to 10 mm in length depending on developmental stage. Adult females of the most common species, Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes hexagonus, are round‑shaped when engorged, expanding to a soft, swollen appearance that can reach up to 12 mm. Unfed adults present a flat, brown‑to‑dark brown dorsal shield (scutum) with a smooth surface; legs are visible and extend laterally, giving a “spider‑like” silhouette.
Immature stages differ markedly:
- Larvae: Approximately 0.5 mm, translucent or pale yellow, lacking a distinct scutum. They appear as tiny specks, often unnoticed.
- Nymphs: 1–2 mm, darker brown, with a partially visible scutum. Their bodies are more oval, and they exhibit six legs on each side, making them slightly larger than larvae but smaller than adults.
Coloration varies with blood intake. Unfed ticks are brown to reddish‑brown; after feeding, the abdomen fills with blood, turning pale gray or bluish‑white, while the dorsal shield retains its original hue. Engorged females become markedly distended, resembling a small, soft balloon attached to the host’s skin.
Typical attachment sites on hedgehogs include the base of spines, between the shoulder blades, along the flanks, and around the ventral area near the legs. The tick inserts its mouthparts—chelicerae and a barbed hypostome—into the skin, creating a firm grip that can persist for several days. The feeding cavity often appears as a small, slightly raised, pale area surrounding the tick; surrounding tissue may show mild erythema but usually lacks severe inflammation.
Key visual indicators of infestation:
- Visible, attached arthropods matching the size and shape described above.
- Small, pale or reddish spots where ticks have detached, sometimes leaving a faint scar.
- Clusters of ticks, especially in the neck and spine base, indicating heavy load.
Recognition of these characteristics enables accurate identification and timely removal, reducing the risk of pathogen transmission.