Flora and Fauna
Experience the Flora and Fauna on Moreton Island

Moreton Island has very many different species of flora and fauna that find natural habitat within the Island. Researchers, students, and tourists, in general, can learn a lot from studying flora and fauna in Moreton Island.

The island has more to offer than just the sandy beaches, the natural features, the fun outdoor activities, and the fancy resorts that offer accommodation and provide various delicacies.

Fauna

The island has more than 180 species of birds including forest-dependent birds, birds of prey, seabirds, and the waders. Annually, the island provides a resting ground for over 50,000 waders that migrate from the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions between September and April.

During the non-breeding season, birds like the eastern curlew, the Grey-tailed Tattler, and the little tern also migrate to the island. Other species of birds within the Island include the pied oyster-catcher, white ibis, silver gull, pelicans, and the crested tern.

Mammals that exist within Moreton Island include the bandicoot, a few species of bat, and gliders. Also, about forty species of reptiles have been documented to live on the island. They include the goannas, blue-tongued lizards, major skinks, bearded dragons, and various types of snakes.

Humpback Whale at Moretin Island

Humpback whales and other species of whales such as the sperm whales, southern right whales, minke whales, and the melon-headed whales can be viewed in Cape Moreton during their annual migration between June and November. There is also a wide variety of fish species surrounding the Island, including Bream, Squid, Dart, Flathead, Tailor, and Whiting.

Several species of sea turtles including the green turtles, loggerhead turtles, and hawksbill turtles are found in Moreton Bay. More than 10,000 green sea turtles and 2,000 loggerhead turtles also live within the island.

The Moreton Bay Marine Park is home to the Indo-Pacific hump-backed and the bottlenose species of dolphins. Seagrasses found in the waters of Moreton Bay support the existence of between 600 and 800 dugongs. The area around Moreton Bay is also full of sea anemones, green worms, molluscs, shellfish, ghost crabs, and thousands of blue soldier crabs.

Flora

Moreton Island has a variety of plants that adapt to the low nutrient content in the sandy soils. Vegetation in Moreton Island varies from stunted heathlands to open eucalypt forests. Along the roads in Moreton Island, there is bushland and plenty of grass trees and Banksia that can be visible from miles away.

Pink Bloodwood

Pink Bloodwood and Scribbly Gum cover most of the bushland in the Island. Salt-resistant ground cover crops such as the Spinifex grass grow all over the dunes in the island.

During the spring season, there is an array of wildflowers that sprout all over the island. Lastly, Moreton Island has about 64 species of edible plants.

Map of Moreton Island

Explore more with our Moreton Island map and find your way around Australia’s world famous sand island. Zoom in on the map to discover more.

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About 'Moreton Island Australia'

Moreton Island Australia is a 'Web Magazine' website that is dedicated to all things related to Queensland's iconic great sandy island. We are passionate about Australia's great natural wonder, its vast beaches and lakes, its incredible vistas, its natural beauty and the unforgettable experiences that are waiting for all who visit. Our aim is to discuss Moreton Island, its history, its environment, its wildlife and its spectacular destinations. We hope that this website will inspire all who visit, just as much as Moreton Island has inspired us.

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