Red-eyed Reef Crab (Eriphia smithii)

Red-eyed Reef Crab (Eriphia smithii)

The marine life around Socotra is rich and diverse, but I am focusing on the flora and fauna on land. However, I had a short window of opportunity during low…


Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan)

Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan)

Erissel is the easternmost point of Socotra. It is a windswept low-lying area governed by the elements. During cyclones the wind and sea wreak havoc on the…


Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan)

Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan)

Erissel is the easternmost point of Socotra. It is a windswept low-lying area governed by the elements. During cyclones the wind and sea wreak havoc on the…


Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan)

Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan)

The north-facing beach of the tip of Erissel is wide and deep, with a large part only tasting the waves during monsoons. This is perfect conditions for the…


Inversed Fiddler Crab (Cranuca inversa)

Inversed Fiddler Crab (Cranuca inversa)

I found plenty of this species at this location and no signs of competing species. They thrive here next to a large date grove, where I rested in their…


Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus)

Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus)

What an amazing experience it was to see this rare spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus). I spotted it driving to the next destination on my schedule, and could…


Chocó Toucan (Ramphastos brevis)

Chocó Toucan (Ramphastos brevis)

The Chocó toucan (Ramphastos brevis) looks very similar to chestnut-mandibled and yellow-throated toucans, but as the name implies this species only exists in…


Pale-mandibled Araçari (Pteroglossus torquatus ssp. erythropygius)

Pale-mandibled Araçari (Pteroglossus torquatus ssp. erythropygius)

Pale-mandibled Araçari (Pteroglossus torquatus ssp. erythropygius) is a striking species that, together with toucans, is a frequent visitor to feeding stations…


Pale-mandibled Araçari (Pteroglossus torquatus ssp. erythropygius)

Pale-mandibled Araçari (Pteroglossus torquatus ssp. erythropygius)

A pale-mandibled araçari (Pteroglossus torquatus ssp. erythropygius) with a severely damaged lower mandible with a part missing - perhaps from a fight with a…


Chocó Toucan (Ramphastos brevis)

Chocó Toucan (Ramphastos brevis)

Chocó toucan (Ramphastos brevis) looks very similar to chestnut-mandibled and yellow-throated toucans, but as the name implies this species only exists in the…