Dunesheep are the main hosts for the tick Haemaphysalis punctata on the island of Texel. All stages may complete their bloodmeal on these animals. Additional hosts include horses, native mammals (rabbit, ferret) and a number of bird species (especially for the larvae and nymphs). The dependance of this tick on dunesheep appears to originate from the absence of big game on the island and the fact that only sheep are pastured to any extent in the dunes. This also means that only about 3-4 % of the area of the island is infested with this tick. Ixodes ricinus is present on the island also: adults on sheep, dogs and cats; nymphs on sheep, rabbits and a few bird species; larvae on rabbits, mice and birds. This tick is less common but occurs on a larger area. It is not restricted to the dry sheep-grazed dune area, but also present in woods and bushes. H. punctata is known from a number of other Frisian islands but appears to be absent from the mainland of the Netherlands.