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What does engorged mean?
An engorged tick has expanded while taking a blood meal. Its body may become much larger and less similar to an unfed identification image.
Reviewed by VuxLore® Knowledge Team For Everyone
Short answer
At a glance
Key takeaways
A dramatic but normal feeding change
The flexible rear body expands as a hard tick feeds. Colour, markings and proportions can become obscured, which is why identification may require mouthparts, legs or other structures.
Do not read infection from size
A large tick is not automatically infected, and a small tick is not automatically safe. Disease risk requires regional and clinical context.