For such a small island, the mountains and the gorges are spectacular. We explored quite a bit of the mountains. Driving through mountain gorges is spectacular.

The other feature worth mentioning are the huge sand dunes. The highest are close to 100 m (330 ft) high.

Plant life is surprisingly varied. There are a lot of endemic trees and other plants on Socotra. The Dragon Blood Trees (Dracaena cinnabari, german: Sokotrischer Drachenbaum, french: Dragonnier de Socotra), the Cucumber Trees (Dendrosicyos socotranus), and the Socotra Desert Rose (Bottle Trees) (Adenium obesum socotranum, german: Wüstenrose, french: Rose du désert) are the most spectacular. The Frankincense Tree (Boswellia elongata), from biblical Frankincense, are also worth mentioning.

Animal life on land is by far not as exciting as plant life. I only saw a few lizards and some land crabs near the shore.

Pictures of birds in Yemen and other nature pages are separate:

Birds in Yemen
Bird Page for Yemen
Nature Pages
Other Nature Pages

All pictures are © Dr. Günther Eichhorn, unless otherwise noted.

Nature in Yemen

Mountains North Shore Socotra
Mountains on the north shore of Socotra. (1047k)
Mountain Lots Bottle Trees
Mountain with lots of Bottle trees. (1399k)
Dragon Blood Trees Over
Dragon Blood Trees over Wadi Shibahn. (1377k)
Dragon Blood Trees Over
Dragon Blood Trees over Wadi Shibahn. (1.6M)
Bottom Wadi Shibahn
Bottom of Wadi Shibahn. (1312k)
Walls Wadi Shibahn Bottle
Walls of Wadi Shibahn with Bottle Trees. (1.5M)
Huge Sand Dune North
Huge sand dune on the north shore of Socotra. (952k)
Huge Sand Dune North
Huge sand dune on the north shore of Socotra. (816k)
Huge Sand Dune North
Huge sand dune on the north shore of Socotra. (846k)
Playing Sand Dune
Playing in the sand dune. (716k)
Sand Dunes Zahaq
Sand dunes of Zahaq. (441k)
Sand Dunes Zahaq
Sand dunes of Zahaq. (494k)
Sand Dunes Zahaq
Sand dunes of Zahaq. (553k)
Sand Dunes Zahaq
Sand dunes of Zahaq. (588k)
Dogub Cave
Dogub Cave. (1.6M)
Dogub Cave
Dogub Cave. (1.6M)
Dogub Cave
Dogub Cave. (1.6M)
Inside Dogub Cave
Inside Dogub Cave. (1279k)
Inside Dogub Cave
Inside Dogub Cave. (1.5M)
Inside Dogub Cave
Inside Dogub Cave. (763k)
Inside Dogub Cave
Inside Dogub Cave. (1215k)
Inside Dogub Cave
Inside Dogub Cave. (1262k)
Inside Dogub Cave
Inside Dogub Cave. (1343k)
Markings Mountain Don't Know
Markings on a mountain. I don't know whether they were natural colorations or caused by fire. (1161k)
Large Landslide
Large landslide. (975k)
Rock Formations Socotra Mountains
Rock formations in the Socotra mountains. (1358k)
Bizarre Looking Rock
Bizarre looking rock. (1369k)
Full Moon
Full moon. (145k)
Sunset
Sunset. (523k)
Sunset
Sunset. (422k)

Flora in Yemen

Glaucous Glasswort (Arthrocaulon macrostachyum)
Glaucous Glasswort (Arthrocaulon macrostachyum). (1.8M)
Closer View Glaucous Glasswort
Closer view of Glaucous Glasswort. (863k)
Zygophyllum qatarense (Zygophyllum qatarense)
Zygophyllum qatarense (Zygophyllum qatarense). (1.7M)
Closer View Zygophyllum Qatarense
Closer view of Zygophyllum qatarense. (1.8M)
Zygophyllum qatarense (Zygophyllum qatarense)
Zygophyllum qatarense (Zygophyllum qatarense). (1427k)
Closer View Zygophyllum Qatarense
Closer view of Zygophyllum qatarense. (1.7M)
Rat's Ear (Commelina forskaolii)
Rat's Ear (Commelina forskaolii). (1.8M)
Cissus subaphylla (Cissus subaphylla)
Cissus subaphylla (Cissus subaphylla), endemic to Socotra. (1.6M)
Euryops arabicus (Euryops arabicus)
Euryops arabicus (Euryops arabicus). (1.7M)
Closer View Euryops Arabicus
Closer view of Euryops arabicus. (1334k)
Euryops arabicus (Euryops arabicus)
Euryops arabicus (Euryops arabicus). (1.8M)
Closer View Euryops Arabicus
Closer view of Euryops arabicus. (779k)
Ledebouria grandifolia (Ledebouria grandifolia)
Ledebouria grandifolia (Ledebouria grandifolia), endemic to Yemen. (690k)
Aden Currybush (Gnidia socotrana)
Aden Currybush (Gnidia socotrana), endemic to Yemen. (1.8M)
Close-up Leaves Aden Currybush
Close-up of the leaves of Aden Currybush. (1031k)
Campylanthus spinosus (Campylanthus spinosus)
Flowering Campylanthus spinosus (Campylanthus spinosus). (1.9M)
Closer View Flowers Campylanthus
Closer view of the flowers of Campylanthus spinosus. (1.6M)
Heliotropium nigricans (Heliotropium nigricans)
Heliotropium nigricans (Heliotropium nigricans), endemic to Yemen. (2M)
Jatropha unicostata (Jatropha unicostata)
Jatropha unicostata (Jatropha unicostata), endemic to Socotra. (1497k)
Close-up Leaves Flower Jatropha
Close-up of the leaves and flower of Jatropha unicostata. (599k)
Close-up Leaves Fruit Jatropha
Close-up of the leaves and fruit of Jatropha unicostata. (1081k)
Jatropha unicostata (Jatropha unicostata)
Jatropha unicostata (Jatropha unicostata). (1.8M)
Close-up Leaves Jatropha Unicostata
Close-up of the leaves of Jatropha unicostata. (672k)
Jatropha unicostata (Jatropha unicostata)
Jatropha unicostata (Jatropha unicostata). (1.6M)
Close-up Leaves Jatropha Unicostata
Close-up of the leaves of Jatropha unicostata. (801k)
Lannea transulta (Lannea transulta)
Lannea transulta (Lannea transulta), endemic to Yemen. (1.6M)
Close-up Leaves Fruits Lannea
Close-up of the leaves and fruits of Lannea transulta. (749k)
Lannea transulta (Lannea transulta)
Lannea transulta (Lannea transulta). (1499k)
Close-up Leaves Lannea Transulta
Close-up of the leaves of Lannea transulta. (837k)
Christ's Thorn Jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi)
Christ's Thorn Jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi, german: Syrischer Christusdorn, french: Épine du Christ). (1.8M)
Close-up Leaves Christ's Thorn
Close-up of the leaves of Christ's Thorn Jujube. (1285k)
Croton socotranus (Croton socotranus)
Croton socotranus (Croton socotranus), endemic to Socotra. (2M)
Close-up Leaves Croton Socotranus
Close-up of the leaves of Croton socotranus. (805k)
Euphorbia arbuscula (Euphorbia arbuscula)
Euphorbia arbuscula (Euphorbia arbuscula), endemic to Socotra. (2.2M)
Close-up Leaves
Close-up of the leaves. (983k)
Lowveld False Crowberry (Allophylus rubifolius)
Lowveld False Crowberry Tree (Allophylus rubifolius). (1338k)
Branch Lowveld False Crowberry
Branch of the Lowveld False Crowberry Tree. (1481k)
Tamarind (Tamarindus indica)
Large Tamarind Tree (Tamarindus indica, german: Tamarindenbaum, french: Tamarinier). (1.6M)
Camphor Tree (Commiphora ornifolia)
Camphor Tree (Commiphora ornifolia). (1368k)
Close-up Leaves Camphor Tree
Close-up of the leaves of the Camphor Tree. (586k)
Palm Trees
Palm trees. (1.8M)
Socotra Desert Rose Forest
Socotra Desert Rose forest. (1419k)
Socotra Desert Roses
Socotra Desert Roses. (1133k)
Socotra Desert Rose Seedling
Socotra Desert Rose seedling. (1.9M)
Socotra Desert Rose (Adenium obesum socotranum)
Socotra Desert Rose (Adenium obesum socotranum, german: Wüstenrose, french: Rose du désert), endemic to Socotra. (1381k)
Socotra Desert Rose
Socotra Desert Rose. (1412k)
Socotra Desert Rose (Adenium obesum socotranum)
Socotra Desert Rose (Adenium obesum socotranum, german: Wüstenrose, french: Rose du désert). (1424k)
Socotra Desert Rose
Socotra Desert Rose. (1229k)
Socotra Desert Rose (Adenium obesum socotranum)
Socotra Desert Rose (Adenium obesum socotranum, german: Wüstenrose, french: Rose du désert). (1118k)
Large Socotra Desert Rose
Large Socotra Desert Rose. (1.7M)
Close-up Leaves Socotra Desert
Close-up of the leaves of a Socotra Desert Rose. (783k)
Flowering Socotra Desert Rose
Flowering Socotra Desert Rose. (2M)
Flowering Socotra Desert Rose
Flowering Socotra Desert Rose. (1.6M)
Flowers Socotra Desert Rose
Flowers of a Socotra Desert Rose. (584k)
Socotra Desert Rose (Adenium obesum socotranum)
Flower of a Socotra Desert Rose (Adenium obesum socotranum, german: Wüstenrose, french: Rose du désert). (697k)
Flowering Socotra Desert Rose
Flowering Socotra Desert Rose with seed pods. (1.9M)
Socotra Desert Rose (Adenium obesum socotranum)
Seed pods of a Socotra Desert Rose (Adenium obesum socotranum, german: Wüstenrose, french: Rose du désert). (1274k)
Frankincense Tree (Boswellia elongata)
Frankincense Trees (Boswellia elongata). (1365k)
Frankincense Tree (Boswellia elongata)
Frankincense Tree (Boswellia elongata). (1.5M)
Leaves Frankincense Tree
Leaves of the Frankincense Tree. (824k)
Trunk Frankincense Tree Resins
Trunk of the Frankincense Tree with resins. (1355k)
Close-up Frankincense Resin
Close-up of the Frankincense resin. (1200k)
Socotra Star Chestnut (Sterculia africana socotrana)
Socotra Star Chestnut (Sterculia africana socotrana). (907k)
Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)
Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus). (1150k)
Leaves Socotra Cucumber Tree
Leaves of the Socotra Cucumber Tree. (647k)
Dragon Blood Tree Forest
Dragon Blood Tree forest in the mist. (1231k)
Dragon Blood Tree Forest
Dragon Blood Tree forest. (1232k)
Dragon Blood Tree Forest
Dragon Blood Tree forest. (1341k)
Dragon Blood Tree Forest
Dragon Blood Tree forest. (1482k)
Dragon Blood Trees
Dragon Blood Trees. (1411k)
Dragon Blood Trees
Dragon Blood Trees. (1448k)
Dragon Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari)
Dragon Blood Trees (Dracaena cinnabari, german: Sokotrischer Drachenbaum, french: Dragonnier de Socotra). (1350k)
Dragon Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari)
Dragon Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari, german: Sokotrischer Drachenbaum, french: Dragonnier de Socotra). (1455k)
Dragon Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari)
Dragon Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari, german: Sokotrischer Drachenbaum, french: Dragonnier de Socotra). (1.6M)
Dragon Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari)
Dragon Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari, german: Sokotrischer Drachenbaum, french: Dragonnier de Socotra). (1352k)
Close-up Dense Branches Dragon
Close-up of the dense branches of a Dragon Blood Tree. (1052k)
Close-up Leaves Dragon Blood
Close-up of the leaves of a Dragon Blood Tree. (1291k)
Dragon Blood Tree Nursery
Dragon Blood Tree nursery. (1.6M)
Dragon Blood Tree Nursery
Dragon Blood Tree nursery. This one is a few years old. (1.9M)
Dragon Blood Tree Nursery
Dragon Blood Tree nursery. This one is 10-20 years old. (1.9M)
Dragon Blood Tree Nursery
Dragon Blood Tree nursery. This one is at least 40 years old. (1.7M)

Shells and Coral

Coral
Coral. (1.6M)
Coral
Coral. (1347k)
Coral
Coral. (1428k)
Coral
Coral. (1.6M)
Coral
Coral. (1.6M)
Coral
Coral. (1.5M)
Eroded Coral
Eroded coral. (1.6M)
Remnants Snail Shell
Remnants of a snail shell. (1370k)
Snail Shell
Snail shell. (1332k)
Shell
Shell. (1144k)
Conus (Conus sp.)
Conus Shell (Conus sp.). (1273k)
Thrush Cowrie (Naria turdus)
Thrush Cowrie Shell (Naria turdus). (828k)
Shell
Shell. (1.8M)
Giant Spider Conch (Lambis truncata)
Giant Spider Conch (Lambis truncata). (1209k)
Shell
Shell. (1.6M)
Shell
Shell. (1.7M)
Shell Barnacle Growth
Shell with barnacle growth. (1422k)
Shell Barnacle Growth
Shell with barnacle growth. (1.6M)
Shell Barnacle Growth
Shell with barnacle growth. (1.8M)

Fauna in Yemen

Barnacles
Barnacles. (1169k)
Butterfly
Butterfly. (581k)
Arabian Toothcarp (Aphaniops dispar)
Arabian Toothcarp (Aphaniops dispar) in Wadi Shibahn. (868k)
Arabian Toothcarp (Aphaniops dispar)
Arabian Toothcarp (Aphaniops dispar) in Wadi Shibahn. (905k)
Beach Full Puffer Fish
Beach full of puffer fish carcasses. (2M)
Puffer Fish Carcasses
Puffer fish carcasses. (1.9M)
Remains Puffer Fish
Remains of a puffer fish. (1290k)
Remains Puffer Fish
Remains of a puffer fish. (1476k)
Red Sea Land Hermit Crab (Coenobita scaevola)
Red Sea Land Hermit Crab (Coenobita scaevola) completely hiding in its snail shell. (1.5M)
Red Sea Land Hermit Crab (Coenobita scaevola)
Red Sea Land Hermit Crab (Coenobita scaevola) coming out of the shell. (1.7M)
Red Sea Land Hermit Crab (Coenobita scaevola)
Red Sea Land Hermit Crab (Coenobita scaevola) walking. (1357k)
Red Sea Land Hermit Crab (Coenobita scaevola)
Red Sea Land Hermit Crab (Coenobita scaevola) walking. (727k)
Land Crab Hiding Vegetation
Land crab hiding in vegetation. (1.5M)
Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan)
Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan) on the beach. (433k)
Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan)
Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan) on the beach. (590k)
Socotra Rock Gecko (Pristurus sokotranus)
Socotra Rock Gecko (Pristurus sokotranus), endemic to Socotra. (1125k)
Socotra Rock Gecko
Socotra Rock Gecko. (1233k)
Socotra Rock Gecko
Socotra Rock Gecko. (1128k)
Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Sperm Whale skull (Physeter macrocephalus, german: Pottwal, french: Grand cachalot). (903k)
Whale Vertebrae
Whale vertebrae. (1.8M)

This page contains 150 pictures with 30 species

Yemen
Main page for اليَمَن (Yemen)

Page last updated on Thu Dec 22 12:21:47 2022 (Mountain Standard Time)


Nature in Yemen on gei.geichhorn.com


© Dr. Günther Eichhorn
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