Skellig Michael classified as a Special Protection Area in 1986, when they were recognised for containing both an usually large variety and population of birds. It is known as an eyrie for Peregrine Falcon. Other birds of interest include Fulmar, Manx shearwater ("Puffinus puffinus"), Storm petrel, Gannet, Kittiwake, Guillemot and Atlantic Puffin. A herd of goats lived on the island until recently, and it supports a population of rabbits and house mice, both relatively recent introductions, probably introduced in the 19th century by lighthouse attendants. Grey Seal haul out on the island's ledges. The word "Skellig" derives from the old Irish word
Trevor H. Worthy the Waitomo frog ("Leiopelma waitomoensis"). In the 1990s Worthy discovered several fossil bird species new to science, including the long-billed wren ("Dendroscansor decurvirostris") in 1991, Scarlett's shearwater ("Puffinus spelaeus") in 1991, and the Niue night heron ("Nycticorax kalavikai") in 1995. In 1991 he also described the Northland skink, a fossil skink species new to science. In 1998 Worthy excavated subfossil bones in Fiji, where he found remains of the flightless Viti Levu giant pigeon ("Natunaornis gigoura"), the Viti Levu scrubfowl ("Megapodius amissus"), the Viti Levu snipe ("Coenocorypha miratropica"), the giant Fiji ground frog ("Platymantis megabotoniviti"), and the small freshwater crocodile