What does an attached tick look like? - briefly
An attached tick appears as a small, rounded, gray‑brown arachnid whose abdomen becomes markedly swollen and elongated during feeding, while the head and legs remain visible on the skin surface. The mouthparts penetrate the host, anchoring the tick firmly in place.
What does an attached tick look like? - in detail
Ticks that have successfully attached to a host display a distinctive appearance that differs markedly from their unfed state. The body becomes markedly swollen, often taking on a rounded, balloon‑like shape as blood fills the abdomen. The dorsal surface expands uniformly, obscuring the previously visible scutum in many species.
Key visual characteristics of an attached tick include:
- Size: length can increase from a few millimetres to several centimetres, depending on feeding duration and species.
- Shape: the ventral side flattens while the dorsal side bulges, creating a dome‑shaped profile.
- Color: fresh feeding may produce a pale, translucent hue; prolonged feeding often darkens the abdomen to a deep reddish‑brown or black.
- Capitulum: the mouthparts remain embedded in the skin, with the hypostome visible as a small, pointed projection at the front of the body.
- Legs: the eight legs are tucked close to the body, rarely visible unless the tick is disturbed.
- Scutum: in hard‑ticked species, the hard plate on the dorsal side becomes hidden beneath the engorged abdomen; in soft‑ticked species, the entire dorsal surface remains flexible.
Species and developmental stage affect appearance. Nymphs and larvae retain a relatively small, oval form even when fed, while adult females of Ixodes, Dermacentor, and Amblyomma genera become markedly enlarged. Male ticks often remain less engorged, maintaining a flatter silhouette.
Observation of these traits enables reliable identification of an attached tick and assessment of feeding progress. Accurate visual assessment is essential for timely removal and evaluation of potential disease transmission risk.