Nature

The island is home to 81 different species of birds, some of which are considered rare or endangered.  

The first extensive collection of reptiles was collected from Dirk Hartog Island in 1977, during which it was discovered that the island's reptiles species are typical of the warmer, drier areas of South Western Australia.

Some of the species found on the island are either endemic or rare and include the Skink Ctenotusyoungsoni.

Dirk Hartog Island is home to rare burrowing sand hill frog (Arenophryne rotunda). It lives in sand hills, in a borrow 10cm below the surface. The young frogs hatch directly from clutches of creamy white eggs laid in moist sand, some 80cm below the surface.  

The beaches on Dirk Hartog Island are home to many different species of crabs. The most common ones are mud crabs and ghost crabs. 

Shark Bay is home to over 10,000 dugongs. During midwinter dugongs spend most of their time in the sea grass beds adjacent to Dirk Hartog Island. 

Loggerhead Turtles are the most endangered species of turtles to nest in the Shark Bay Area and indeed the Australian region as a whole. Turtle Bay, located at the island's north is the species' prominent nesting ground. 

Humpback Whales are seen around the island during their northern and southern migration.

Sea snakes are very good divers considering they are air breathing animals - they can dive up to 100 m or more and remain underwater for up to 2 hours. Sea Snakes are highly venomous, though they rarely attack people unless provoked. 

The waters surrounding the island are home to many pods of dolphins.

Sharks are always spotted around the island. The most common sharks include Lemon Sharks, Shovel Nose Sharks and Tiger Sharks.

The waters surround the island are home to hundreds of fish species, including whiting, flathead, snapper, yellowfin tuna and dolphin fish, just to name a few.