Wildlife of Djibouti
Encyclopedia
The Wildlife of Djibouti
, consisting of flora and fauna, is in a harsh landscape with forest accounting for less than one percent of the total area of the country. The flora and fauna species are most found in the northern part of the country in the ecosystem of the Day Forest National Park
at an average altitude 1500 metres (4,921.3 ft), including the massif Goda, with a peak of 1783 metres (5,849.7 ft). It covers an area of 3.5 square kilometres (1.4 sq mi) of Juniperus procera
forest, with many of the trees rising to 20 metres (65.6 ft) height. This forest area is the main habitat of critically endangered and endemic Djibouti Francolin
, and another recently noted vertebrate
, Platyceps afarensis. The area also contains many species of woody and herbaceous plants, including boxwood
and olive tree
s, which account for sixty percent of the total identified species in the country.
Wildlife flora and fauna are also found in the country's wetland ecosystem which includes two large lakes, Lake Assal and Lake Abbe
(only a small part of the flats of this lake are in Djibouti), and many salt pans which are flooded occasionally from the wadis and the coastal tidal wetlands. The coastal belt of Djibouti also has a diversity of marine life or aquatic ecosystem, including coral reefs.
According to the country profile related to biodiversity of wildlife in Djibouti, the country contains some 820 species of plants, 493 species of invertebrates, 455 species of fish, 40 species of reptiles, 3 species of amphibians, 360 species of birds and 66 species of mammals. Wildlife of Djibouti is also listed as part of Horn of Africa
biodiversity hotspot
and the Red Sea
and Gulf of Aden
coral reef
hotspot.
known as "Territoire Français des Afars et des Issas" (French Territory of the Afars and the Issas
). Subsequent to Djibouti becoming independent, important laws enacted were: Resolution no 262/7 of 12 May 1972 relating to protection of natural wealth and prehistoric remains; Resolution no 72-1363 of 20 September 1972 for the protection of marine fauna and habitats and Decree No. 80-062/PR/MCTT of 25 May 1980 relating to the protection of marine fauna and habitats.
ic origin and rhyolite
is very rugged and has a succession of high plateaus and mountain ranges, and plateaus and hills of medium altitude. There is naturally very little arable land in desert areas. The highest peak is Mount Moussa and there are two major lakes: Lake Assal which is saline at (-) 155 metres (508.5 ft) (the lowest point in Africa); and Lake Abbe, the major part of which is in Ethiopia
and sourced by Awash River
and its tributaries, also originating in Ethiopia with only small flats as part of Djibouti. Apart from the two large lakes, Djibouti lacks perennial rivers and hence the dependence for water is more on ground water sources. Thus, in Djibouti's wildlife, in the harsh terrain, forests account for less than one percent of its total land area of 23200 square kilometres (8,957.6 sq mi). Pans, foothills and tidal wetlands, and Djibouti areas under the Eritrean Coastal Desert Ecoregion, though not brought under protection laws, also have some degree of wildlife of vegetation and fauna.
The northern region has the Goda massif and the relic vegetation of the flora particularly, Juniperus procera. Fauna species, in particular the critically endangered Djibouti Francolin
, are found in the northern part of the country which are protected under the Day Forest National Park, the only national park in Djibouti.
in the northern region with the low of 10 °C (50 °F), while the rest of the country experiences hot climatic conditions with temperature soaring to more than 40 °C (104 °F) in summer. Humidity is also very high during this period. The variation of rainfall, which occurs for about 26 days in a year, is very wide. It ranges from as low as 5 inches (12.7 cm) in the coastal regions whereas in the northern and mountainous portions of the country, it is about 15 inches (38.1 cm). Rainfalls occur between January and March, in short periods and with heavy intensity, causing flash floods.
. The Goda Mountains, which rise to a height of 1783 metres (5,849.7 ft), lie northwest of the Gulf of Tadjoura, Afar Region
and forms Djibouti’s largest vegetated area. The park protects at least four known endemic plant species, which include: Juniperus procera, Olea africana, Buxus hildebrantii, and Tarchonanthus camphoratus
. Distribution of the plants in the park varies with elevation. Vegetation above 950 metres (3,116.8 ft), where the topography is rugged, consists of those species already mentioned. Vegetation below 950 metres (3,116.8 ft), which has the benefit of better water sources, consists of Buxus hildebranti, Terminalia brownie and Acacia spp.
The forest of junipers as a whole has been under long-term environmental threat. A million years ago, its area was believed to have been 40000 hectares (98,842.1 acre) but it is only a small area of (900 hectares (2,223.9 acre)), as of 1990. Loss is attributed not only to changes in climate but also due to human destruction, attributed to fires, cattle grazing, tree felling and military exercises.) World Wide Fund for Nature
(WWF) has reported that 88 percent of the Day Forest has been lost in the last two centuries, and more than 20 percent of the loss has occurred in the last 50 years.
s (streams) in the coastal hills lying in the elevation range of 50–100 m (164–328.1 ), and the largest of these pans covers 20000 hectares (49,421 acre). They have salt marsh or salt desert vegetation.
to Ras Bir; it forms the shores of Yemen
and Djibouti funnel. During every autumn
, large bird migrations have been recorded in the Obock
area of Djibouti. The most common species recorded are the Dorcas Gazelle
, Soemmerring's Gazelle
, and Salt's Dik-dik
. This ecoregion in Djibouti's Ras Siyan consists of rocky terrain, old coral reefs seen during low tide, and sandy beaches. Among the several offshore islands in this region are the Sept Frères islands
, an archipelago of Djibouti.
This region lies below 200 metres (656.2 ft) elevation, and is generally flat with sand or gravel plains interspersed with occasional outcrop of rocks. The coastline near Ras Siyan
is a mix of rocky areas, old coral reefs that are exposed only at low tide, and sandy beaches. The ecoregion has remained undisturbed, but degraded near populated areas and, due to hunting, is now proposed to be brought under protection laws.
and Mabla Mountains. On Mount Goda, near Tadjoura, there are rare giant juniper trees, acacias, and wild olive trees. However, most of the vegetation is typical of the desert and semi-desert, consisting of thorn scrubs and palm trees. 534 species of plants are recorded in the Goda and Mabla Mountains including a number of endemic species. Two species of particular interest are the Nubian tree (Dracaena omber) and the Bankouale palm (Wismania carianensis) in the National Park. Other species reported as unique to Djibouti are: Aloe djiboutiensis, Aloe ericahenriettae, Euphorbia godana, Euphorbia amicorum, Phagnalon lavranosii, Cynoglossopsis somaliensis, Caralluma mireillae, Polygala goudahensis and Matthiola puntensis.
Vegetation recorded on the periphery of lakes, pans, wadi valley beds and coastal foothills are: Cenchrus ciliaris, Aeloropus lagopoides, Aeloropus persica, Cenchrus ciliaris, Calatropis procera, Cyperus cconglomeratus, Eleusine compressa, Halopeplis perfoliata, Heliotropum pterocarpum, Panicum turgidum
, Salsola forskalii, Sporobolus spicatus
, Suaeda monoica, Trianthema crystalline and Urochondra setulosa. Acacia tortilis
and cadaba glandulosa are also found on some of the wadis.
Flora recorded in the Coastal Desert Ecoregion are: Herbaceous/grassy steppe species of Aerva javanica
, Cymbopogon schoenanthus, Panicum turgidum
, Lasiurus scindicus, Acacia tortilis
, Acacia asak steppe, Rhigozum somalense, Caesalpinia erianthera shrubland. The coastal vegetation in this region consists of halophytic vegetation with mangroves species of Rhizophora mucronata
, Ceriops tagal and Avicennia marina
. The ecoregion also has xeric grasslands and shrublands in the inland areas of the coast.
The medicinal plant khat
(Catha edulis) occurs in Djibouti where it is chewed by 90% of the men; its effect is a state of euphoria
.
), Ragazzi's cylindrical skink (Chalcides ragazzii
), and Indian leaf-toed gecko (Hemidactylus flaviviridis
). In its animal reserves, Djibouti has antelope
s, gazelle
s, hyena
s, and jackal
s.
, a vulnerable species, is also found in the Day National park. The coastal waters have Dugongs and Abyssinian genet
; the latter needs confirmation by further studies. Green turtles and Hawksbill turtle
s are in the coastal waters where nestling also takes place.
In the southern mountain range of Aser-Jog, in Djibouti, the Beira antelope Dorcatragus megalotis, an endemic and Vulnerable species
is reported. 99 different individuals have been recorded. However, they face competition from cattle in grazing. Hence, a proposal has been mooted to establish a wild life refuge in this range, as a protected area.
The bird species reported in the wildlife of Djibouti consists of 399 species including one endemic (native) species, eight globally threatened species, and two introduced species. Further details under categories of the ndemic, Critically Endangered
, Endangered, Near-threatened and Vulnerable
are elaborated. However, 26 species of raptors
have been reported in the coastal ecoregion. Of these, the Steppe Buzzard (Buteo buteo vulpinus) and the steppe eagle
(Aquila nipalensis) are most common.
The only endemic species found is the Djibouti Francolin
(Francolinus ochropectus) which is critically endangered. It is found in only two locations in Djibouti namely, the Forêt du Day National Park
in the Goda Mountains
and Mabla Mountains
; the former is about 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) north of the Gulf of Tadjoura
and the latter is 80 kilometres (49.7 mi) northeast of the Forêt du Day. The species was declared critically endangered
by the IUCN since its population underwent a 90% population decline over twenty years. The Djibouti Francolins preferred dense African juniper
woodland with a closed canopy, and mostly on a plateau when this species of tree was in abundance. It has now adopted to live in the boxwood (Buxus sempervirens
) and woody shrub (Clutia abyssinia). The bird remains hidden in the dense undergrowth of boxwood and clutia during the day. It roosts on these trees which grow to 16–26 m (52.5–85.3 ) height. They search for food in the evenings and mostly feed on figs, small fruits and also termites and insects. The Djibouti Francolin has been featured on two stamps; one of 35 Francs, in 1989 from Djibouti, and another of 500 Francs denomination from the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas
as Djibouti was known during the French rule, in 1972.
The endangered species reported are: Atlantic Petrel
(Pterodroma incerta), Egyptian Vulture
(Neophron percnopterus) and Saker Falcon
(Falco cherrug).
The near-threatened bird species are: The Ferruginous Duck
(Aythya nyroca), Lesser Flamingo
(Phoenicopterus minor), Jouanin's Petrel
(Bulweria fallax), White-backed Vulture
(Gyps africanus), Pallid Harrier
, (Circus macrourus), Pallid Harrier
(Circus macrourus), Rueppell's Griffon (Gyps rueppellii), Red-footed Falcon
(Falco vespertinus), Sooty Falcon
(Falco concolor), Corn Crake
(Crex crex), Eurasian Curlew
(Numenius arquata), Black-tailed Godwit
(Limosa limosa), White-eyed Gull
(Ichthyaetus leucophthalmus) and European Roller
(Coracias garrulus)
The vulnerable bird species reported are: The Socotra Cormorant
(Phalacrocorax nigrogularis), White-headed Vulture
(Trigonoceps occipitalis), Beaudouin's Snake-Eagle
(Circaetus beaudouini), Greater Spotted Eagle
(Aquila clanga), Imperial Eagle
(Aquila heliaca) and Lesser Kestrel
(Falco naumanni)
, Trichonotulus secquorum; Lophothericles popovi, a grasshopper
; Cryncus dmitrievi, a cricket
; and Euprosthenopsis vachoni,a nursery web spider.
(Sterna bergii) and lesser-crested terns
(Sterna bengalensis).
Djibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
, consisting of flora and fauna, is in a harsh landscape with forest accounting for less than one percent of the total area of the country. The flora and fauna species are most found in the northern part of the country in the ecosystem of the Day Forest National Park
Day Forest National Park
Day Forest National Park is a national park in Djibouti. It protects an important forest island in a sea of semi-desert, with at least four known endemic plant species, which include: Juniperus procera, Olea africana, Buxus hildebrantii, and Tarchonanthus camphoratus...
at an average altitude 1500 metres (4,921.3 ft), including the massif Goda, with a peak of 1783 metres (5,849.7 ft). It covers an area of 3.5 square kilometres (1.4 sq mi) of Juniperus procera
Juniperus procera
Juniperus procera, commonly known in English as African Juniper or East African Juniper, is a coniferous tree native to the mountains of eastern Africa from eastern Sudan south to Zimbabwe, and the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula...
forest, with many of the trees rising to 20 metres (65.6 ft) height. This forest area is the main habitat of critically endangered and endemic Djibouti Francolin
Djibouti Francolin
The Djibouti Francolin, Pternistis ochropectus, is one of over forty species of francolins, a group of birds in the Phasianidae family. It is critically endangered and found only in Djibouti, a nation in eastern Africa. This species is grayish-brown overall with white stripes and streaks on its...
, and another recently noted vertebrate
Vertebrate
Vertebrates are animals that are members of the subphylum Vertebrata . Vertebrates are the largest group of chordates, with currently about 58,000 species described. Vertebrates include the jawless fishes, bony fishes, sharks and rays, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds...
, Platyceps afarensis. The area also contains many species of woody and herbaceous plants, including boxwood
Boxwood
Boxwood may refer to:*Buxus, a genus of about 70 species of shrubs and trees in the family Buxaceæ, which in North America is called "boxwood"*Buxus sempervirens, the most common species of Buxus, which is known as "boxwood" in United Kingdom...
and olive tree
Olive Tree
The Olive Tree was a denomination used for several successive centre-left Italian political coalitions from 1995 to 2007.The historical leader and ideologue of these coalitions was Romano Prodi, Professor of Economics and former leftist Christian Democrat, who invented the name and the symbol of...
s, which account for sixty percent of the total identified species in the country.
Wildlife flora and fauna are also found in the country's wetland ecosystem which includes two large lakes, Lake Assal and Lake Abbe
Lake Abbe
Lake Abbe or Lake Abhe Bad is a salt lake, lying on the Ethiopia-Djibouti border. It is one of a chain of six connected lakes, which also includes lakes Gargori, Laitali, Gummare, Bario and Afambo.-Overview:...
(only a small part of the flats of this lake are in Djibouti), and many salt pans which are flooded occasionally from the wadis and the coastal tidal wetlands. The coastal belt of Djibouti also has a diversity of marine life or aquatic ecosystem, including coral reefs.
According to the country profile related to biodiversity of wildlife in Djibouti, the country contains some 820 species of plants, 493 species of invertebrates, 455 species of fish, 40 species of reptiles, 3 species of amphibians, 360 species of birds and 66 species of mammals. Wildlife of Djibouti is also listed as part of Horn of Africa
Horn of Africa
The Horn of Africa is a peninsula in East Africa that juts hundreds of kilometers into the Arabian Sea and lies along the southern side of the Gulf of Aden. It is the easternmost projection of the African continent...
biodiversity hotspot
Biodiversity hotspot
A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans.The concept of biodiversity hotspots was originated by Norman Myers in two articles in “The Environmentalist” , revised after thorough analysis by Myers and others in...
and the Red Sea
Red Sea
The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. In the north, there is the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez...
and Gulf of Aden
Gulf of Aden
The Gulf of Aden is located in the Arabian Sea between Yemen, on the south coast of the Arabian Peninsula, and Somalia in the Horn of Africa. In the northwest, it connects with the Red Sea through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, which is about 20 miles wide....
coral reef
Coral reef
Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Coral reefs are colonies of tiny living animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. The polyps...
hotspot.
Legal instruments
Day Forest National Park was declared a national park in 1939 by the then Governor of the country, when Djibouti (an independent nation in 1977), was a French colonyFrench colonial empire
The French colonial empire was the set of territories outside Europe that were under French rule primarily from the 17th century to the late 1960s. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the colonial empire of France was the second-largest in the world behind the British Empire. The French colonial empire...
known as "Territoire Français des Afars et des Issas" (French Territory of the Afars and the Issas
French Territory of the Afars and the Issas
The French Territory of Afars and Issas was the name given to present-day Djibouti between 1967 and 1977, while it was still a colony of France...
). Subsequent to Djibouti becoming independent, important laws enacted were: Resolution no 262/7 of 12 May 1972 relating to protection of natural wealth and prehistoric remains; Resolution no 72-1363 of 20 September 1972 for the protection of marine fauna and habitats and Decree No. 80-062/PR/MCTT of 25 May 1980 relating to the protection of marine fauna and habitats.
Geography
Wildlife in Djibouti is spread over three main regions namely, from the northern mountain region of the country to the volcanic plateaus in its southern and central part and culminating in the coastal region. In spite of harsh climatic conditions, the terrain of basaltBasalt
Basalt is a common extrusive volcanic rock. It is usually grey to black and fine-grained due to rapid cooling of lava at the surface of a planet. It may be porphyritic containing larger crystals in a fine matrix, or vesicular, or frothy scoria. Unweathered basalt is black or grey...
ic origin and rhyolite
Rhyolite
This page is about a volcanic rock. For the ghost town see Rhyolite, Nevada, and for the satellite system, see Rhyolite/Aquacade.Rhyolite is an igneous, volcanic rock, of felsic composition . It may have any texture from glassy to aphanitic to porphyritic...
is very rugged and has a succession of high plateaus and mountain ranges, and plateaus and hills of medium altitude. There is naturally very little arable land in desert areas. The highest peak is Mount Moussa and there are two major lakes: Lake Assal which is saline at (-) 155 metres (508.5 ft) (the lowest point in Africa); and Lake Abbe, the major part of which is in Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
and sourced by Awash River
Awash River
The Awash is a major river of Ethiopia. Its course is entirely contained within the boundaries of Ethiopia, and empties into a chain of interconnected lakes that begin with Lake Gargori and end with Lake Abbe on the border with Djibouti, some 100 kilometers from the head of the Gulf of Tadjoura...
and its tributaries, also originating in Ethiopia with only small flats as part of Djibouti. Apart from the two large lakes, Djibouti lacks perennial rivers and hence the dependence for water is more on ground water sources. Thus, in Djibouti's wildlife, in the harsh terrain, forests account for less than one percent of its total land area of 23200 square kilometres (8,957.6 sq mi). Pans, foothills and tidal wetlands, and Djibouti areas under the Eritrean Coastal Desert Ecoregion, though not brought under protection laws, also have some degree of wildlife of vegetation and fauna.
The northern region has the Goda massif and the relic vegetation of the flora particularly, Juniperus procera. Fauna species, in particular the critically endangered Djibouti Francolin
Djibouti Francolin
The Djibouti Francolin, Pternistis ochropectus, is one of over forty species of francolins, a group of birds in the Phasianidae family. It is critically endangered and found only in Djibouti, a nation in eastern Africa. This species is grayish-brown overall with white stripes and streaks on its...
, are found in the northern part of the country which are protected under the Day Forest National Park, the only national park in Djibouti.
Climate
Climatically, the coolest area in the country is in the forests of the Day National ParkDay Forest National Park
Day Forest National Park is a national park in Djibouti. It protects an important forest island in a sea of semi-desert, with at least four known endemic plant species, which include: Juniperus procera, Olea africana, Buxus hildebrantii, and Tarchonanthus camphoratus...
in the northern region with the low of 10 °C (50 °F), while the rest of the country experiences hot climatic conditions with temperature soaring to more than 40 °C (104 °F) in summer. Humidity is also very high during this period. The variation of rainfall, which occurs for about 26 days in a year, is very wide. It ranges from as low as 5 inches (12.7 cm) in the coastal regions whereas in the northern and mountainous portions of the country, it is about 15 inches (38.1 cm). Rainfalls occur between January and March, in short periods and with heavy intensity, causing flash floods.
Day National Park
The Day Forest National Park is a woodland habitat, which includes part of the forest mass of the Goda mountain massif. The Goda mountain’s forests, the east face of which is part of the park, is considered a "spectacular natural oddity ...rare species of green on Djibouti’s parched map like a giant oasis". It is located 30 kilometres (18.6 mi) west of the Gulf of TadjouraGulf of Tadjoura
The Gulf of Tadjoura is a gulf or basin of the Indian Ocean in the Horn of Africa. It lies south of the straits of Bab-el-Mandeb, or the entrance to the Red Sea, at . Most of its coastline is the territory of Djibouti, except for a short stretch on the southern shore, which is part of the...
. The Goda Mountains, which rise to a height of 1783 metres (5,849.7 ft), lie northwest of the Gulf of Tadjoura, Afar Region
Afar Region
Afar is one of the nine ethnic divisions of Ethiopia, and is the homeland of the Afar people. Formerly known as Region 2, its current capital is Asayita; a new capital named Semera on the paved Awash - Asseb highway is under construction....
and forms Djibouti’s largest vegetated area. The park protects at least four known endemic plant species, which include: Juniperus procera, Olea africana, Buxus hildebrantii, and Tarchonanthus camphoratus
Tarchonanthus camphoratus
Tarchonanthus camphoratus , is a shrub or small tree, native to eastern and Southern Africa and Arabia....
. Distribution of the plants in the park varies with elevation. Vegetation above 950 metres (3,116.8 ft), where the topography is rugged, consists of those species already mentioned. Vegetation below 950 metres (3,116.8 ft), which has the benefit of better water sources, consists of Buxus hildebranti, Terminalia brownie and Acacia spp.
The forest of junipers as a whole has been under long-term environmental threat. A million years ago, its area was believed to have been 40000 hectares (98,842.1 acre) but it is only a small area of (900 hectares (2,223.9 acre)), as of 1990. Loss is attributed not only to changes in climate but also due to human destruction, attributed to fires, cattle grazing, tree felling and military exercises.) World Wide Fund for Nature
World Wide Fund for Nature
The World Wide Fund for Nature is an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment, formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada and the United States...
(WWF) has reported that 88 percent of the Day Forest has been lost in the last two centuries, and more than 20 percent of the loss has occurred in the last 50 years.
Lakes and salt pans
Lake Assal’s peripheral salt pans support Red Sea coastal salt desert vegetation. Lake Abbe, at the southern end of Djibouti, is fed by the Awash River and its tributaries, which flows from Ethiopia, and also from local ephemeral streams. The local hills nearby feed many other small pans. Drainage from the southwestern part feeds Lake Assal, while those from the northeastern plateau feed the pans or flow into the sea directly. There are 20 pans in the northeast and east of Lake Abbe, a number of small pans and one large pan of 20000 hectares (49,421 acre) area to the north and northeast of Lake Assal in the elevation range of 300–600 m (984.3–1,968.5 ) (supports very little vegetation. Pans and valley floors of small wadiWadi
Wadi is the Arabic term traditionally referring to a valley. In some cases, it may refer to a dry riverbed that contains water only during times of heavy rain or simply an intermittent stream.-Variant names:...
s (streams) in the coastal hills lying in the elevation range of 50–100 m (164–328.1 ), and the largest of these pans covers 20000 hectares (49,421 acre). They have salt marsh or salt desert vegetation.
Coastal Desert Ecoregion
The Eritrean Coastal Desert Ecoregion stretches along the southern coast of the Red Sea from Balfair Assoli in EritreaEritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
to Ras Bir; it forms the shores of Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
and Djibouti funnel. During every autumn
Autumn
Autumn is one of the four temperate seasons. Autumn marks the transition from summer into winter usually in September or March when the arrival of night becomes noticeably earlier....
, large bird migrations have been recorded in the Obock
Obock
Obock is a small port town in Djibouti. It is located on the northern shore of the Gulf of Tadjoura, where it opens out into the Gulf of Aden. The population in 2003 was about 8,300 inhabitants....
area of Djibouti. The most common species recorded are the Dorcas Gazelle
Dorcas Gazelle
The Dorcas Gazelle , also known as the Ariel Gazelle, is a small and common gazelle. The Dorcas Gazelle stands approximately 55-65 cm . Dorcas gazelle have a head and body length of 90-110 cm and a weight of 15-20 kg...
, Soemmerring's Gazelle
Soemmerring's Gazelle
Soemmerring's Gazelle is a gazelle that lives in eastern Africa.-Subspecies:* Somali Soemmerring Gazelle Nanger soemmeringii berberana...
, and Salt's Dik-dik
Salt's Dik-dik
Salt's Dik-dik is a small antelope found in semi-desert vegetation, bushland and thickets in the Horn of Africa, but marginally also northern Kenya and eastern Sudan.- Description :...
. This ecoregion in Djibouti's Ras Siyan consists of rocky terrain, old coral reefs seen during low tide, and sandy beaches. Among the several offshore islands in this region are the Sept Frères islands
Seven Brothers (islands)
Seven Brothers are an island archipelago of Djibouti, situated approximately from its coast.-Overview:...
, an archipelago of Djibouti.
This region lies below 200 metres (656.2 ft) elevation, and is generally flat with sand or gravel plains interspersed with occasional outcrop of rocks. The coastline near Ras Siyan
Ras Siyan
Ras Siyan is a peninsula in the Obock Region of Djibouti. Located at , it lies on the coast of the Bab-el-Mandeb....
is a mix of rocky areas, old coral reefs that are exposed only at low tide, and sandy beaches. The ecoregion has remained undisturbed, but degraded near populated areas and, due to hunting, is now proposed to be brought under protection laws.
Flora
Most of the land in Djibouti is desert. However, wildlife vegetation is made up of semi-desert grassland, shrub land and succulent scrub. Coastal area consists of desert and mangrove. Dry evergreen forests are in the mountains of Mount Goda in the Day National Park near TadjouraTadjoura
Tadjoura is the oldest town in Djibouti and the capital of the Tadjourah region. Lying on the Gulf of Tadjoura, it is home to a population of around 25,000 inhabitants.Tadjoura has an airstrip and is linked by ferry with Djibouti City...
and Mabla Mountains. On Mount Goda, near Tadjoura, there are rare giant juniper trees, acacias, and wild olive trees. However, most of the vegetation is typical of the desert and semi-desert, consisting of thorn scrubs and palm trees. 534 species of plants are recorded in the Goda and Mabla Mountains including a number of endemic species. Two species of particular interest are the Nubian tree (Dracaena omber) and the Bankouale palm (Wismania carianensis) in the National Park. Other species reported as unique to Djibouti are: Aloe djiboutiensis, Aloe ericahenriettae, Euphorbia godana, Euphorbia amicorum, Phagnalon lavranosii, Cynoglossopsis somaliensis, Caralluma mireillae, Polygala goudahensis and Matthiola puntensis.
Vegetation recorded on the periphery of lakes, pans, wadi valley beds and coastal foothills are: Cenchrus ciliaris, Aeloropus lagopoides, Aeloropus persica, Cenchrus ciliaris, Calatropis procera, Cyperus cconglomeratus, Eleusine compressa, Halopeplis perfoliata, Heliotropum pterocarpum, Panicum turgidum
Panicum turgidum
Panicum turgidum is an old world clumping desert bunchgrass of the Panicum genus.-Distribution:It is common across the Sahara and Arabia, from Senegal to Pakistan, and known by the a number of common names, most widely as Taman, tuman, or thaman in Egypt and Arabia; merkba or markouba in...
, Salsola forskalii, Sporobolus spicatus
Sporobolus spicatus
Sporobolus spicatus, also known as salt grass, is a halophyte.-Distribution:This bunchgrass is distributed:*in dryer parts of Africa such as Namibia, as a well known common plant in the western desert of Egypt...
, Suaeda monoica, Trianthema crystalline and Urochondra setulosa. Acacia tortilis
Acacia tortilis
Acacia tortilis, the Umbrella Thorn Acacia, also known as Umbrella Thorn and Israeli Babool, is a medium to large canopied tree native primarily to the savanna and Sahel of Africa , but also occurring in the Middle East....
and cadaba glandulosa are also found on some of the wadis.
Aerva javanica
Aerva javanica is a species of plant in the Amaranthaceae family. It has a native distribution from Northern Africa to south western regions of Western Asia....
, Cymbopogon schoenanthus, Panicum turgidum
Panicum turgidum
Panicum turgidum is an old world clumping desert bunchgrass of the Panicum genus.-Distribution:It is common across the Sahara and Arabia, from Senegal to Pakistan, and known by the a number of common names, most widely as Taman, tuman, or thaman in Egypt and Arabia; merkba or markouba in...
, Lasiurus scindicus, Acacia tortilis
Acacia tortilis
Acacia tortilis, the Umbrella Thorn Acacia, also known as Umbrella Thorn and Israeli Babool, is a medium to large canopied tree native primarily to the savanna and Sahel of Africa , but also occurring in the Middle East....
, Acacia asak steppe, Rhigozum somalense, Caesalpinia erianthera shrubland. The coastal vegetation in this region consists of halophytic vegetation with mangroves species of Rhizophora mucronata
Rhizophora
Rhizophora is a genus of tropical mangrove trees, sometimes collectively called true mangroves. The most notable species is the Red Mangrove but some other species and a few natural hybrids are known. Rhizophora species generally live in intertidal zones which are indundated daily by the ocean...
, Ceriops tagal and Avicennia marina
Avicennia marina
Avicennia marina, commonly known as grey mangrove or white mangrove, is a species of mangrove tree classified in the plant family Acanthaceae...
. The ecoregion also has xeric grasslands and shrublands in the inland areas of the coast.
The medicinal plant khat
Khat
Khat, qat, gat or Waquish Spoken from true Yemeni, is a flowering plant native to tropical East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula....
(Catha edulis) occurs in Djibouti where it is chewed by 90% of the men; its effect is a state of euphoria
Euphoria
Euphoria is an emotional and mental state defined as a sense of great elation and well being.Euphoria may also refer to:* Euphoria , a genus of scarab beetles* Euphoria, a genus name previously used for the longan and other trees...
.
Fauna
In the Coastal Desert Ecoregion, resident fauna and few endemics are reported. These consists mainly of three near-endemic species of reptiles, the Ogaden burrowing asp (Atractaspis leucomelasAtractaspis leucomelas
Atractaspis leucomelas, or the Ogaden burrowing asp, is a species of venomous snake in the Atractaspididae family.-Etymology:The specific epithet, leucomelas, is derived from New Latin leuco and Greek μέλας , and refers to this snake's "white and black" coloration.-Geographic range:It is endemic...
), Ragazzi's cylindrical skink (Chalcides ragazzii
Chalcides ragazzii
The Ragazzi's Cylindrical Skink, is a large, pentadactyl species of skink. It lives from Algeria , Niger, northern Somalia and northern Kenya to Ethiopia, Eritrea, and south-eastern Sahara. It was named after the collector of the holotype, Dr. V. Ragazzi....
), and Indian leaf-toed gecko (Hemidactylus flaviviridis
Hemidactylus flaviviridis
Hemidactylus flaviviridis is a species of gecko. Its common name is Yellow-bellied House Gecko.-Distribution:Egypt ; Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Nepal; Pakistan, India/Bengal, Socotra Island ; N Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, EritreaType locality: Insel Massaua,...
). In its animal reserves, Djibouti has antelope
Antelope
Antelope is a term referring to many even-toed ungulate species indigenous to various regions in Africa and Eurasia. Antelopes comprise a miscellaneous group within the family Bovidae, encompassing those old-world species that are neither cattle, sheep, buffalo, bison, nor goats...
s, gazelle
Gazelle
A gazelle is any of many antelope species in the genus Gazella, or formerly considered to belong to it. Six species are included in two genera, Eudorcas and Nanger, which were formerly considered subgenera...
s, hyena
Hyena
Hyenas or Hyaenas are the animals of the family Hyaenidae of suborder feliforms of the Carnivora. It is the fourth smallest biological family in the Carnivora , and one of the smallest in the mammalia...
s, and jackal
Jackal
Although the word jackal has been historically used to refer to many small- to medium-sized species of the wolf genus of mammals, Canis, today it most properly and commonly refers to three species: the black-backed jackal and the side-striped jackal of sub-Saharan Africa, and the golden jackal of...
s.
Mammals
Mammals include several species of antelope, such as Soemmerring’s gazelle and Pelzeln’s gazelle. As a result of the hunting ban imposed since early 1970 these species are well conserved now. Other characteristic mammals are Grevy’s Zebra, Hamdryas baboon and Hunters antelope. WarthogWarthog
The Warthog or Common Warthog is a wild member of the pig family that lives in grassland, savanna, and woodland in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the past it was commonly treated as a subspecies of P...
, a vulnerable species, is also found in the Day National park. The coastal waters have Dugongs and Abyssinian genet
Abyssinian Genet
The Abyssinian Genet is a species of genet. It is native to Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, and Djibouti, and inhabits moorland, grasslands and sub-desert areas. The Abyssinian genet is rated "Least Concern" by the IUCN Red List. There are no subspecies of the Abyssinian genet....
; the latter needs confirmation by further studies. Green turtles and Hawksbill turtle
Hawksbill turtle
The hawksbill sea turtle is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae. It is the only extant species in its genus. The species has a worldwide distribution, with Atlantic and Pacific subspecies. E. imbricata imbricata is the Atlantic subspecies, while E...
s are in the coastal waters where nestling also takes place.
In the southern mountain range of Aser-Jog, in Djibouti, the Beira antelope Dorcatragus megalotis, an endemic and Vulnerable species
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
is reported. 99 different individuals have been recorded. However, they face competition from cattle in grazing. Hence, a proposal has been mooted to establish a wild life refuge in this range, as a protected area.
Birds
Critically Endangered
Critically Endangered is the highest risk category assigned by the IUCN Red List for wild species. Critically Endangered means that a species' numbers have decreased, or will decrease, by 80% within three generations....
, Endangered, Near-threatened and Vulnerable
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
are elaborated. However, 26 species of raptors
Bird of prey
Birds of prey are birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing, using their keen senses, especially vision. They are defined as birds that primarily hunt vertebrates, including other birds. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing and/or piercing flesh....
have been reported in the coastal ecoregion. Of these, the Steppe Buzzard (Buteo buteo vulpinus) and the steppe eagle
Steppe Eagle
The Steppe Eagle is a bird of prey. It is about in length and has a wingspan of . Females, weighing 2.3–4.9 kg , are slightly larger than males, at 2–3.5 kg . Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae...
(Aquila nipalensis) are most common.
The only endemic species found is the Djibouti Francolin
Djibouti Francolin
The Djibouti Francolin, Pternistis ochropectus, is one of over forty species of francolins, a group of birds in the Phasianidae family. It is critically endangered and found only in Djibouti, a nation in eastern Africa. This species is grayish-brown overall with white stripes and streaks on its...
(Francolinus ochropectus) which is critically endangered. It is found in only two locations in Djibouti namely, the Forêt du Day National Park
Day Forest National Park
Day Forest National Park is a national park in Djibouti. It protects an important forest island in a sea of semi-desert, with at least four known endemic plant species, which include: Juniperus procera, Olea africana, Buxus hildebrantii, and Tarchonanthus camphoratus...
in the Goda Mountains
Goda Mountains
The Goda Mountains lie northwest of the Gulf of Tadjoura, Afar region in Djibouti. They rise to above sea level and are the nation's largest vegetated area...
and Mabla Mountains
Mabla Mountains
The Mabla Mountains are located in Obock Region, Djibouti, Africa. The endemic Djibouti Francolin makes its home here and in the Forêt du Day.-Geography:...
; the former is about 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) north of the Gulf of Tadjoura
Gulf of Tadjoura
The Gulf of Tadjoura is a gulf or basin of the Indian Ocean in the Horn of Africa. It lies south of the straits of Bab-el-Mandeb, or the entrance to the Red Sea, at . Most of its coastline is the territory of Djibouti, except for a short stretch on the southern shore, which is part of the...
and the latter is 80 kilometres (49.7 mi) northeast of the Forêt du Day. The species was declared critically endangered
Critically endangered
Version 2010.3 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 3744 Critically Endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and subpopulations.Critically Endangered by kingdom:*1993 Animalia*2 Fungi*1745 Plantae*4 Protista-References:...
by the IUCN since its population underwent a 90% population decline over twenty years. The Djibouti Francolins preferred dense African juniper
Juniperus procera
Juniperus procera, commonly known in English as African Juniper or East African Juniper, is a coniferous tree native to the mountains of eastern Africa from eastern Sudan south to Zimbabwe, and the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula...
woodland with a closed canopy, and mostly on a plateau when this species of tree was in abundance. It has now adopted to live in the boxwood (Buxus sempervirens
Buxus sempervirens
Buxus sempervirens is a flowering plant in the genus Buxus, native to western and southern Europe, northwest Africa, and southwest Asia, from southern England south to northern Morocco, and east through the northern Mediterranean region to Turkey. Buxus colchica of western Caucasus and B...
) and woody shrub (Clutia abyssinia). The bird remains hidden in the dense undergrowth of boxwood and clutia during the day. It roosts on these trees which grow to 16–26 m (52.5–85.3 ) height. They search for food in the evenings and mostly feed on figs, small fruits and also termites and insects. The Djibouti Francolin has been featured on two stamps; one of 35 Francs, in 1989 from Djibouti, and another of 500 Francs denomination from the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas
French Territory of the Afars and the Issas
The French Territory of Afars and Issas was the name given to present-day Djibouti between 1967 and 1977, while it was still a colony of France...
as Djibouti was known during the French rule, in 1972.
The endangered species reported are: Atlantic Petrel
Atlantic Petrel
The Atlantic Petrel is a gadfly petrel endemic to the South Atlantic Ocean. It breeds in enormous colonies on Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island, and ranges at sea from Brazil to Namibia, with most records at sea being to the west of the breeding islands, and along the subtropical convergence.The...
(Pterodroma incerta), Egyptian Vulture
Egyptian Vulture
The Egyptian Vulture is a small Old World vulture, found widely distributed from southwestern Europe and northern Africa to southern Asia. It is the only living member of the genus Neophron. It has sometimes also been known as the White Scavenger Vulture or Pharaoh's Chicken...
(Neophron percnopterus) and Saker Falcon
Saker Falcon
The Saker Falcon is a very large falcon. This species breeds from eastern Europe eastwards across Asia to Manchuria. It is mainly migratory except in the southernmost parts of its range, wintering in Ethiopia, the Arabian peninsula, northern Pakistan and western China...
(Falco cherrug).
The near-threatened bird species are: The Ferruginous Duck
Ferruginous Duck
The Ferruginous Duck is a medium-sized diving duck from Eurasia. The species is known colloquially by birders as "Fudge Duck"....
(Aythya nyroca), Lesser Flamingo
Lesser Flamingo
The Lesser Flamingo is a species in the flamingo family of birds that resides in Africa and in southern Asia...
(Phoenicopterus minor), Jouanin's Petrel
Jouanin's Petrel
Jouanin's Petrel is a species of seabird in the Procellariidae family.It is found in Djibouti, Indonesia, Pakistan, Kenya, Maldives, Mozambique, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Somalia, and Yemen....
(Bulweria fallax), White-backed Vulture
White-backed Vulture
The White-backed Vulture is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is closely related to the European Griffon Vulture, G. fulvus...
(Gyps africanus), Pallid Harrier
Pallid Harrier
The Pale or Pallid Harrier is a migratory bird of prey of the harrier family. It breeds in southern parts of eastern Europe and central Asia and winters mainly in India and southeast Asia...
, (Circus macrourus), Pallid Harrier
Pallid Harrier
The Pale or Pallid Harrier is a migratory bird of prey of the harrier family. It breeds in southern parts of eastern Europe and central Asia and winters mainly in India and southeast Asia...
(Circus macrourus), Rueppell's Griffon (Gyps rueppellii), Red-footed Falcon
Red-footed Falcon
The Red-footed Falcon , formerly Western Red-footed Falcon, is a bird of prey. It belongs to the family Falconidae, the falcons. This bird is found in eastern Europe and Asia although its numbers are dwindling rapidly due to habitat loss and hunting. It is migratory, wintering in Africa...
(Falco vespertinus), Sooty Falcon
Sooty Falcon
The Sooty Falcon is a medium-sized falcon breeding from northeastern Africa to the southern Persian Gulf region. It belongs to the hobby group, a rather close-knit number of similar falcons often considered a subgenus Hypotriorchis...
(Falco concolor), Corn Crake
Corn Crake
The Corn Crake, Corncrake or Landrail is a bird in the rail family. It breeds in Europe and Asia as far east as western China, and migrates to Africa for the winter...
(Crex crex), Eurasian Curlew
Eurasian Curlew
The Eurasian Curlew, Numenius arquata, is a wader in the large family Scolopacidae. It is one of the most widespread of the curlews, breeding across temperate Europe and Asia...
(Numenius arquata), Black-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
The Black-tailed Godwit, Limosa limosa, is a large, long-legged, long-billed shorebird first described by Carolus Linnaeus in 1758. It is a member of the Limosa genus, the godwits...
(Limosa limosa), White-eyed Gull
White-eyed Gull
The White-eyed Gull is a small gull which is endemic to the Red Sea. Its closest relative is the Sooty Gull. It is one of the world's rarest gulls, with a population of just 4,000 - 6,500 pairs. The species is classed as Near Threatened by the IUCN; human pressure and oil pollution are deemed the...
(Ichthyaetus leucophthalmus) and European Roller
European Roller
The European Roller, Coracias garrulus, is the only member of the roller family of birds to breed in Europe. Its overall range extends into the Middle East and Central Asia and Morocco....
(Coracias garrulus)
The vulnerable bird species reported are: The Socotra Cormorant
Socotra Cormorant
The Socotra Cormorant, Phalacrocorax nigrogularis, is a threatened species of cormorant that is endemic to the Persian Gulf and the south-east coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is also sometimes known as the Socotran Cormorant or, more rarely, as the Socotra Shag. Individuals occasionally...
(Phalacrocorax nigrogularis), White-headed Vulture
White-headed Vulture
The White-headed Vulture is an Old World vulture endemic to Africa. It has a pink beak and a white crest, and the featherless areas on its head are pale. Its has dark brown upper parts and black tail feathers. The feathers on its lower parts and legs are white. It has a wing span of 2 m and spends...
(Trigonoceps occipitalis), Beaudouin's Snake-Eagle
Beaudouin's Snake-eagle
Beaudouin's Snake Eagle is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family.-References:*...
(Circaetus beaudouini), Greater Spotted Eagle
Greater Spotted Eagle
The Greater Spotted Eagle , occasionally just called the spotted eagle, is a large bird of prey. Like all typical eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae...
(Aquila clanga), Imperial Eagle
Imperial Eagle
An Imperial Eagle is a heraldic eagle used by an empire, notably:*the military standard of the Roman Empire, see Aquila .*the Byzantine imperial eagle*the German Reichsadler...
(Aquila heliaca) and Lesser Kestrel
Lesser Kestrel
The Lesser Kestrel is a small falcon. This species breeds from the Mediterranean across southern central Asia to China and Mongolia. It is a summer migrant, wintering in Africa and Pakistan and sometimes even to India and Iraq. It is rare north of its breeding range, and declining in its European...
(Falco naumanni)
Invertebrates
The Invertebrates species reported are: Eunidia djiboutiana (Lamiares du Monde), longhorned beetle; Lamiares du Monde, a Dung beetleDung beetle
Dung beetles are beetles that feed partly or exclusively on feces. All of these species belong to the superfamily Scarabaeoidea; most of them to the subfamilies Scarabaeinae and Aphodiinae of the family Scarabaeidae. This beetle can also be referred to as the scarab beetle. As most species of...
, Trichonotulus secquorum; Lophothericles popovi, a grasshopper
Grasshopper
The grasshopper is an insect of the suborder Caelifera in the order Orthoptera. To distinguish it from bush crickets or katydids, it is sometimes referred to as the short-horned grasshopper...
; Cryncus dmitrievi, a cricket
Cricket (insect)
Crickets, family Gryllidae , are insects somewhat related to grasshoppers, and more closely related to katydids or bush crickets . They have somewhat flattened bodies and long antennae. There are about 900 species of crickets...
; and Euprosthenopsis vachoni,a nursery web spider.
Aqua fauna
Seabird colonies are present in the coastal belt. The Sept Frères islands, in particular have breeding colonies of swift ternsGreater Crested Tern
The Greater Crested Tern , also called Crested Tern or Swift Tern, is a seabird in the tern family which nests in dense colonies on coastlines and islands in the tropical and subtropical Old World...
(Sterna bergii) and lesser-crested terns
Lesser Crested Tern
The Lesser Crested Tern is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae...
(Sterna bengalensis).