What does an engorged tick look like? - briefly
An engorged tick is markedly enlarged, with a distended, balloon‑like abdomen that appears gray‑brown and often translucent through the cuticle. Its body can swell from a few millimeters to several times that size, resembling a tiny, swollen sack.
What does an engorged tick look like? - in detail
An engorged tick is markedly larger than its unfed state. The body expands chiefly in the abdomen, which becomes rounded and balloon‑like, often reaching several times the length of the original organism. In many species the length can increase from 2–5 mm to 10–15 mm, while the width may exceed 5 mm. The dorsal surface turns a deep reddish‑brown to dark gray, sometimes appearing almost black, due to the blood-filled midgut. The ventral side shows a similar color shift, with the cuticle stretched thin, making the tick appear translucent in places.
Key visual features include:
- Abdominal distension: The rear half swells dramatically, creating a distinct bulge that dominates the silhouette.
- Flattened legs: Legs remain relatively short and lie close to the body, giving the tick a compact, almost spherical profile.
- Mouthparts: The hypostome and palps remain visible at the front, but are less pronounced because the body’s bulk obscures them.
- Surface texture: The cuticle appears smoother and less rigid; tiny wrinkles may be visible where the skin stretches.
- Color gradient: A gradient from lighter near the head to darker toward the rear is typical, reflecting blood distribution.
Species differences affect size and hue. For example, the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) may turn a glossy black when fully engorged, whereas the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) often retains a reddish hue. The duration of feeding influences the degree of engorgement; ticks attached for several days exhibit the most pronounced swelling.
When detached, an engorged tick can be mistaken for a small seed or a beetle larva. Careful inspection of the abdomen’s shape and coloration distinguishes it from other arthropods.