Dermacentor reticulatus, also known as the ornate dog tick, is larger than I. ricinus. Another characteristic feature is the colour pattern on the shield (scutum) of the tick. This tick species occasionally bites humans and is more often found biting pets instead. Like I. ricinus, this tick species is a three-host tick. During every active life stage, this tick species will feed, drop off, moult and search for a new host. However, the immature life stages (i.e., larvae and nymph) are usually only found within nests or burrows of smaller animals. Only adult ticks will climb the vegetation to quest for a host. A further difference to I. ricinus is that this tick species can stay active far into winter and spring as long as it is above 0 °C during the day.