Does anyone know what this is? I found it crawling on my son’s leg after a walk in the woods

It might look tiny and harmless sitting on a fingertip, but what you’ve found is almost certainly a tick—a small паразitic arachnid that feeds on blood.

What you’re looking at

Ticks aren’t insects; they belong to the same family as spiders and mites. The one in your photo appears to be a young tick (called a nymph), which is why it’s so small—about the size of a sesame seed. Despite their size, these creatures are incredibly efficient at attaching to skin and going unnoticed.

Finding it on your son’s leg after a walk in the woods fits perfectly with how ticks operate. They don’t jump or fly—instead, they wait on grass or low branches and latch onto a host as it brushes past.

Why ticks matter

Ticks are more than just a nuisance. Some species can carry diseases such as Lyme disease and other infections. Not every tick is infected, and not every bite leads to illness—but it’s important to take them seriously.

What to do if you find one

If the tick hasn’t attached yet, you’re already ahead of the game—just remove it and dispose of it safely. If it has attached:

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