What does an armored tick feed on? - briefly
Armored ticks obtain nourishment by sucking the blood of vertebrate hosts, including birds, mammals and reptiles. Feeding periods are short, typically occurring at night or within the host’s nest.
What does an armored tick feed on? - in detail
The armored tick belongs to the family Ixodidae, characterized by a rigid dorsal shield (scutum) that persists throughout development. Its nutritional requirement is exclusively hematophagy; every active stage—larva, nymph, and adult—requires a blood meal to advance to the next phase or to reproduce.
Larvae typically attach to small vertebrates such as rodents, shrews, and ground‑dwelling birds. After engorgement, the larva detaches, molts, and the emerging nymph seeks a larger host, often medium‑sized mammals (e.g., foxes, squirrels) or passerine birds. Adult females prefer large mammals, most frequently deer, cattle, or, where available, humans. Males may feed intermittently but primarily focus on mating.
Feeding proceeds through a specialized mouthpart ensemble:
- Chelicerae cut the host’s epidermis.
- The hypostome, equipped with backward‑pointing barbs, anchors the tick.
- Salivary secretions contain anticoagulants, anti‑inflammatory agents, and immunomodulators that facilitate prolonged blood intake.
Engorgement periods differ by stage:
- Larval feed: 1–3 days.
- Nymphal feed: 3–5 days.
- Adult female feed: 5–10 days, culminating in egg production.
Host selection is influenced by environmental cues (temperature, humidity) and questing behavior, during which the tick ascends vegetation and grasps passing hosts with its fore‑legs. The tick’s diet thus consists solely of vertebrate blood, with each life stage adapted to exploit a specific host size class, ensuring successful development and reproduction.