European rabbits (introduced by seafarers as insurance against being shipwrecked)
rock rabbits (dassies in afrikaans, from which the name of the island evolved)
a small human presence (Cape Nature Conservation & lighthouse staff)
feral cats (which predate especially on the penguin chicks)
Dassen Island is home to an operational lighthouse which was built in 1893, and is managed by the National Ports Authority. The lighthouse, which is a conical cast-iron tower with red and white bands, emits two white flashes every 30 seconds.
tours
Tours to Dassen Island may be arranged - see http://www.dassenisland.co.za/contact_us.htm