18 Dec 2023
Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus) with bark snails
You can find these dormant (aestivating) land snails (Achatinelloides) sporadically throughout Socotra, but find them covering an entire Socotra cucumber tree…
15 Dec 2023
Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)
A very young Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus) that has survived the insatiable appetite of the goats - only because it growing where they cannot…
4 Feb 2023
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
This is the only place I've encountered Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) on Socotra. It thrives here in the shadow of the tall cliffs of Socotra's northeast, and…
12 Nov 2018
Variegated Squirrel (Sciurus variegatoides)
A common species in Costa Rica, and a frequent visitor to easy meals provided by humans - just like the squirrels in Europe and North America, except it is not…
9 Nov 2016
Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata)
This is a terribly lonely tortoise. It was removed from its homeland of Madagascar decades ago to this island (Bird Island) when the island was a coconut and…
7 Nov 2016
Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea)
This giant tortoise species is named after one of the largest atolls in the world, Aldabra, which is also its last stronghold after centuries of human…
6 Feb 2015
Cucumis prophetarum
The entirety of cucumis prophetarum plant is really fascinating, and I’ve never seen it before. Native range is Mauritania to Arabian Peninsula, West Asia to…