What does a dog tick look like? - briefly
A dog tick is a tiny, oval arachnid, typically dark brown or reddish before feeding and about the size of a pinhead. After a blood meal it swells dramatically, becoming a soft, balloon‑shaped, gray‑ish mass up to a quarter of an inch long.
What does a dog tick look like? - in detail
A dog tick is a small arachnid, typically 2–5 mm long when unfed, expanding to 10–15 mm after a blood meal. The body consists of two main sections: the capitulum (mouthparts) and the idiosoma (main body). The capitulum projects forward, bearing six legs in the larval stage and eight in nymphs and adults, each leg ending in a tiny claw.
The dorsal surface displays a scutum, a hard shield that varies by species and life stage. In the common brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus), the scutum is reddish‑brown with a mottled pattern of lighter and darker patches. In the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), the scutum is marked with white or grayish spots forming a distinctive pattern of rows.
Coloration changes with engorgement. An unfed adult appears tan to brown; after feeding, the abdomen swells and turns pale gray or bluish, often becoming translucent enough to see the blood inside. The ventral side is lighter, sometimes almost white.
Key visual cues include:
- Oval, flattened shape when relaxed.
- Visible eyes on the sides of the capitulum in some species.
- A pair of anal pores near the posterior edge.
- In males, a larger, more rounded scutum covering most of the dorsal surface; in females, a smaller scutum leaving the abdomen exposed for expansion.
The tick’s legs are relatively long compared to its body, giving a spindly appearance. The front legs are equipped with sensory organs called Haller’s ticks, used to detect host odors and heat.
Overall, a dog tick can be identified by its small size, segmented body, scutum pattern, color shift after feeding, and the arrangement of eight legs with specialized sensory structures.