What does a tick look like after it is removed? - briefly
After removal, an engorged tick looks like a swollen, dark‑brown or grayish oval about the size of a pea, with a soft, leathery body and visible legs; its mouthparts often remain embedded in the skin.
What does a tick look like after it is removed? - in detail
A tick that has been taken off a host retains the body that was attached at the moment of removal. The visible characteristics depend on the feeding stage and the length of attachment.
The body is oval‑shaped, resembling a small, flattened grain of rice when unfed. After a blood meal, the abdomen expands dramatically, becoming rounded and balloon‑like. Engorged specimens can measure from 5 mm to over 15 mm in length, while unfed individuals range from 2 mm to 4 mm. The dorsal surface is usually a uniform brown, reddish‑brown, or gray‑black hue; the ventral side may appear lighter, often pinkish when filled with blood.
Key features observable after extraction:
- Mouthparts: The capitulum (mouthparts) remains attached to the tick’s head. It appears as a short, dark, curved structure extending from the front of the body. In some species the hypostome is visible as a series of tiny backward‑pointing barbs.
- Scutum: The hard shield on the dorsal side is a distinct, often patterned plate. In males it covers most of the back; in females it is a small patch near the front, leaving the rest of the abdomen exposed.
- Legs: Eight slender legs protrude from the underside. They are light‑colored, sometimes translucent, and easily seen when the tick is placed on a contrasting surface.
- Blood remnants: An engorged tick may exude a small amount of blood from the anus or mouthparts when handled. The interior of the abdomen is filled with a dark, viscous fluid that gives the tick its swollen appearance.
After removal, the tick may appear slightly shriveled if it loses blood quickly, but the overall shape and coloration remain recognizable for several hours. Preservation in a sealed container with a damp paper towel maintains the engorged form; freezing or placing in alcohol solidifies the body for later identification.
Understanding these visual cues enables accurate species identification and assessment of the feeding duration, which is critical for evaluating disease transmission risk.