What does a tick look like on a pig? - briefly
A tick on a pig appears as a tiny, round, dark brown or black parasite that may become a swollen, reddish‑brown lump when engorged, typically found on the ears, neck, or underbelly. It is firmly attached to the skin and often resembles a small, smooth bump.
What does a tick look like on a pig? - in detail
Ticks that attach to swine appear as small, oval or round bodies that flatten against the skin. An unfed larva measures about 1 mm in length, is pale or translucent, and has six legs. Nymphs are larger, 2–3 mm, darker brown, and possess eight legs. Adult females, when not yet engorged, are roughly 4–5 mm long, reddish‑brown, and also have eight legs. Males are similar in size to unengorged females but remain much smaller after feeding because they do not expand.
When a female feeds, the abdomen swells dramatically. An engorged female can reach 8–12 mm in length and 10–15 mm in width, taking on a balloon‑like shape. The cuticle becomes grayish‑white or pale yellow, and the body appears smooth, lacking obvious segmentation. The ventral side may show a visible mouthpart (hypostome) that anchors into the pig’s dermis. Engorged ticks often detach after several days, leaving a small, round scar.
Typical attachment sites on a pig include:
- ears, particularly the inner surface and the base of the ear cartilage
- neck region, especially around the nuchal fold
- under the jaw and around the throat
- ventral abdomen and groin area
- tail base and perianal region
These locations provide warm, protected environments and thin skin, facilitating blood access.
Common tick species on domestic swine are:
- Ixodes ricinus – brown, hard‑shell tick; adults 3–5 mm, females enlarge to >10 mm after feeding.
- Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus – reddish‑brown, one‑host tick; females become markedly engorged, reaching 12 mm in length.
- Haemaphysalis longicornis – elongated body, dark brown, females swell to 10 mm when full.
In a live animal, the tick’s presence may be recognized by a small, raised bump with a central dark point (the mouthpart) and a surrounding halo of slight redness. The skin around the attachment often shows a thin, translucent membrane that can be lifted with a fine forceps for removal. After removal, the attachment site may display a tiny hemorrhagic spot that resolves within a few hours.