What does a tick that has engorged with blood look like? - briefly
An engorged tick appears swollen, balloon‑like, and markedly larger than an unfed tick, often turning a grayish or bluish hue as it stretches its cuticle to accommodate the blood meal. Its abdomen dominates the body, making the tick look soft, rounded, and sometimes translucent.
What does a tick that has engorged with blood look like? - in detail
An engorged tick is markedly larger than its unfed stage. The body expands to a rounded, balloon‑like shape, often reaching three to four times the original length. The dorsal surface becomes smooth and glossy, losing the distinct scutum that characterizes a flat, unfed tick. Color shifts from brown or reddish‑brown to a deep, almost black hue, sometimes with a translucent or grayish sheen that reveals the blood meal inside.
Key visual characteristics include:
- Size: Length can reach 5–10 mm in adult females; males remain smaller and do not engorge to the same extent.
- Shape: Body appears spherical or oval, with the abdomen dominating the overall silhouette.
- Surface texture: Cuticle stretches, creating a taut, shiny coating; microscopic hairs become less noticeable.
- Color: Darkening to a deep brown or black; occasional pale patches where the cuticle is thinner.
- Leg position: Legs may be splayed outward or partially retracted, giving a “spider‑like” appearance.
When the tick is removed, a thin, clear line of blood may be visible through the cuticle, confirming a recent feeding. The engorged state persists for several days before the tick drops off the host to lay eggs or complete its life cycle.