Animals and Plants

Water shortage in Yemen

Over the past 100 years, Yemen’s fauna and flora have suffered greatly from overuse of soil, deforestation and desertification. Due to climate change, the water table continues to sink and many species are lacking water. However, some stubborn animal and plant species have persisted, many of which are found exclusively in Yemen.

Where did the mammals go?

The previously great diversity of mammals has unfortunately declined significantly due to the drought and also the extreme hunting. Lions and panthers have long been extinct in Yemen. The number of ibex and antelopes continues to decline. After all, some baboons have succeeded in settling and spreading far from civilization. Leopards and smaller packs of hyenas are spotted again and again. However, the climate and hunting habits of some people do not make it easy for these species to spread further.

What is a veiled chameleon?

Together with many other reptile species, the veiled chameleon also feels very comfortable in many parts of the country. It is found both in the arid and vegetation-poor highlands of Yemen and in tropical areas of Saudi Arabia. Because contrary to what the name suggests, this species can also be found outside of Yemen in the south of the Arabian Peninsula.

Birds also defy the harsh conditions

Some birds can also withstand the harsh living conditions in Yemen. There are even 13 endemic species. These are species that are only native to a certain area, for example in the mountains of the Arabian Peninsula. The bird species that live in Yemen are perfectly adapted to their environment. The hammer head, for example, lives in the mountains, while species such as the griffon vulture circled over the dry desert for carrion.

Diverse underwater world in Yemen

A gigantic biodiversity can be discovered underwater in the waters in and around Yemen. In particular, the sardines, tuna and sharks in the Gulf of Aden benefit the country’s economy. There are also rare species such as the red crab, which can only be found on Socotra, an island belonging to Yemen.

Acacias and scented bushes

Yemen is home to an abundance of different plants. Which exactly depends on where you look. Mangrove trees grow along the Red Sea coast. The dry landscape, on the other hand, is characterized by acacias. These plants have many subspecies, one of which is called “smelly”.

The scented bushes that grow on the damp mountain slopes in the west of the country have been famous for Yemen since ancient times. These can be processed into fragrant balm. Is grown behind areas in Yemen of khat. To what extent this plant harms people and the environment, see Economy.

Edible plants

There are also some edible plants in Yemen: millet, wheat, barley as well as dates, peppers and beans. You can also find delicious fruit such as papaya or bananas in the lowlands and apples, pears and melons in the mountains. However, some of these plant species in Yemen suffer from an enormous lack of water, for example the henna bushes, and are therefore becoming increasingly rare.

Flora and fauna of Socotra Island

The offshore island of Socotra is also part of Yemen. On this video you can see the unique flora and fauna of this Yemeni island in all its diversity. Just have a look!

Foods

What do you eat in Yemen?

As a country located in Middle East according to itypejob, Yemen has a very old culture and tradition and this is also evident in the food. There are, however, differences to the countries of the so-called Middle East, because Yemeni cuisine is influenced not only by Arabic but also by Indian cuisine. So the kitchen is simple and should fill you up. They also have a certain sharpness. However, it is not quite as hot as the kitchen in India.

Beans for breakfast

Otherwise, many people in Yemen simply eat. Ful, a porridge made from broad beans that is also available in other Arab countries, is often eaten. This porridge fills you up and is often eaten for breakfast. There is also flat bread, the Pitha is.

The national dish in Yemen is Saltah

The national dish in Yemen is called Saltah, which is a type of stew or soup made from lamb, chicken or beef, as well as vegetables and potatoes or rice. There is also a very hot spice paste. Bread is also served at Saltah.

There is also a lot of fish on the coast and there are vegetables such as beans, lentils and eggplant. Spices such as cardamom, caraway, coriander, which tastes a bit like soap, or saffron, a spice that gives food a yellow color, are also popular. Fenugreek is very popular in Yemen.

A city with a name like a coffee

The mocha comes from Yemen, at least the name, because a Yemeni city called Al Mocha (mocha), which was once important for the coffee trade, gave the mocha its name. But Yemenis prefer tea to coffee, even though it is grown in Yemen itself.