The hedgehog tick is dark brown in color, but appears light grey or white when engorged.

Ixodes hexagonus is found widely throughout central and western Europe, and as far east as Siberia.

The hedgehog tick is a potentially important reservoir for Borrelia bacteria, the causative agent of Lyme disease.

I. hexagonus may act as an important vector of Lyme disease, transmitting it from hedgehog hosts to other small mammals.

I. hexagonus may be important in sustaining Lyme disease in urban location where hedgehogs are a frequently found small mammal.