The diversity of life on Socotra is incredible and the plant species endemic to the island rivals that of the Galapagos islands. A whopping 37% of Socotra’s around 830 plant species are endemic – they exist nowhere else in the world.
When it comes to land snails it is even more incredible. A staggering 95% of the land snail species on Socotra are found nowhere else!
On the trunk of this endemic Commiphora ornifolia a large number of achatinelloides have glued themselves to the bark in tight colonies. They do this to survive the dry and hot months, and have all suspended their metabolism in response to the decrease in moisture. This behavior is called aestivation.
Last updated on 2 March 2024
