Just another from my occasional series of dumb observations on Nature. We've had a little excitement last week since we've had siskins on the garden nut feeders, which is very unusual here in the Land of Mud, but today I saw something I've just never seen before. Here he is - about 3mm across, round and very flat, with some little spidery legs at the front. He was walking on the curtains in our attic. Anyone ever seen anything like this before? - it is suggested that it may be some kind of tick - I really wouldn't know.
If these are commonplace, and everyone knows what they are - if there are likely to be specimens living in my navel, for example - then I shall express amused surprise and move lightly on, having learned something, but it's certainly not anything I've seen before.
In case anyone is anxious, we released it carefully and gently in the garden, of course, so I certainly hope it's not dangerous...
Never seen anything like it before? looks 'orrible though???
ReplyDeleteJust to be clear where exactly do you live????????
ReplyDeleteSouth East Scotland - on the coast.
DeleteCould you use them for hoplite shields??? :o)
ReplyDeleteI'm no expert but I would also think that it's a tick. Better squished than released!
ReplyDeleteIan
Ok I shall avoid the area until this bug is identified. My daughter is an entomologist so I'll send the photo on
ReplyDeletePlease post the results of whatever it is? Looks alien to me!
ReplyDeleteBest guess we have is that it's probably some form of tick. Likely route of arrival is via a walk we took along the River Tyne (that's the Scottish Tyne, not the one through Newcastle) the same day. These things seem to hang around in the grass, waiting for a passing animal to latch onto. Probably picked it up on our clothing (we never walk naked...)
DeleteIf it's a tick, it's a very small one, and I wish I'd squished it, as suggested, though if it were an alien this might start some kind of intergalactic war. My son described it as a miniature Whoopie Cushion with legs - that's about right.