What does a blood‑engorged tick look like? - briefly
An engorged tick appears markedly swollen, its body expanding to a balloon‑like shape that can be several times larger than an unfed tick, with a gray‑blue or reddish hue and a noticeably softer, more pliable texture.
What does a blood‑engorged tick look like? - in detail
A tick that has completed a blood meal expands dramatically. The body swells to a rounded, balloon‑like shape, often reaching the size of a small grape or even a plum, depending on species and the amount of blood ingested. The dorsal shield (scutum) that is visible on unfed or partially fed ticks becomes obscured; the entire dorsal surface appears smooth and glossy, lacking the distinct pattern of the immature stage.
The coloration changes from the typical brown or reddish‑brown of a questing tick to a deep, almost black hue. The surface may look slightly translucent, allowing the underlying blood to be seen as a faint pinkish or reddish tint. Legs remain proportionally shorter relative to the enlarged body, and the legs may appear tucked close to the sides.
Key visual characteristics include:
- Size: 5–15 mm in length, sometimes larger in females of certain species.
- Shape: Globular, uniformly rounded, without the flat, elongated profile seen before feeding.
- Color: Dark brown to black, often with a glossy sheen.
- Surface texture: Smooth, slightly moist, lacking the visible scutum pattern.
- Leg position: Legs compressed against the body, appearing shorter.
If the tick is removed while still engorged, the abdomen may appear soft and pliable, and the mouthparts (capitulum) are visible protruding from the skin. Once the blood is digested, the tick will shrink and revert to a thinner, lighter‑colored form.