Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus) with bark snails

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…


Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)

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…


Dioscorea lanata

Dioscorea lanata

The shape of the leaves provides information that this is a species and an individual with a huge growth potential. Dioscorea lanata is a twining plant that…


Dioscorea lanata

Dioscorea lanata

Dioscorea lanata is endemic to Socotra. Dioscorea…</p><hr class=

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)

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…


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…


Thick-billed Euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris)

Thick-billed Euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris)

A brilliantly colored male of the thick-billed euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris) often seen at feeding stations in its range in Ecuador. It sounds like this:……