What does a tick look like when it embeds? - briefly
When a tick is attached, its body swells, appearing as a smooth, rounded, gray‑brown lump that may look like a small seed or a pinhead under the skin. The mouthparts remain invisible, while the engorged abdomen expands noticeably compared to an unfed tick.
What does a tick look like when it embeds? - in detail
A tick in the act of attaching displays a distinct morphology that differs markedly from its free‑living stage. The dorsal shield (scutum) remains visible, but the abdomen swells as blood fills the body, creating a rounded, balloon‑like appearance. The color shifts from light brown or tan to a darker, more opaque hue, often resembling a small, smooth lump.
Key visual cues include:
- Mouthparts: The capitulum, comprising the hypostome, chelicerae and palps, protrudes from the skin surface, forming a tiny, pointed projection that may be partially hidden by the host’s epidermis.
- Body shape: The anterior region stays relatively flat, while the posterior half expands dramatically, giving the tick a “filled‑with‑blood” silhouette.
- Size: Engorged specimens range from 3 mm (early feeding) to over 10 mm (fully fed), depending on species and host.
- Surface texture: The cuticle becomes glossy and smooth as it stretches, lacking the distinct segmentation seen in unfed ticks.
- Color: Darkening occurs as hemoglobin concentrates within the gut; the tick may appear reddish‑brown, gray, or black.
The attachment site often shows a small, circular wound surrounded by a clear halo where the tick’s cement-like secretions have sealed the mouthparts to the host tissue. This seal prevents the host’s skin from closing around the feeding tube, maintaining a stable channel for blood intake.