What does an extracted tick look like? - briefly
A removed tick presents as a flat, oval organism roughly 2–6 mm in length when unfed, expanding to a swollen, dark‑brown or grayish sphere up to 10 mm after ingesting blood. The capitulum remains visible as a small, protruding mouthpart at one end.
What does an extracted tick look like? - in detail
A tick that has been taken out of a host presents a compact, oval‑shaped body. The dorsal surface is smooth, lacking the segmented appearance seen in many insects. Size varies with feeding stage: an unfed specimen measures approximately 2–3 mm in length, while a fully engorged individual can reach 5–10 mm or more, expanding dramatically in girth.
The exoskeleton is divided into two main regions. The anterior part, the capitulum, contains the mouthparts and appears as a small, dark protrusion. The posterior region, the idiosoma, forms the bulk of the body and is typically brown to reddish‑brown. In engorged ticks, the idiosoma becomes a translucent, balloon‑like structure that may reveal a faint, grainy texture of the blood meal inside.
Key visual characteristics of a removed tick include:
- A distinct, rounded outline without legs extending outward; legs are folded against the body.
- A clearly visible scutum (hard shield) on the dorsal side of unfed or partially fed ticks; absent or reduced in fully engorged specimens.
- A smooth, glossy cuticle that may appear slightly wet if the tick is still alive.
- Absence of the host’s skin or hair attached to the mouthparts; clean separation indicates complete extraction.
When assessing the specimen, verify that the capitulum remains attached to the tick’s body. A missing or broken capitulum suggests incomplete removal and raises the risk of pathogen transmission. The overall appearance should be that of a solitary, intact arthropod, free of external debris.