Spot crocs (don't get too close), watch otters and look for pangolins: we've been finding out where the weirdest and wildest residents of Singapore live...
Can’t make it to the zoo and desperate to see some wildlife? We feel you. Although Singapore may feel all skyscrapers and concrete at times – especially when the kids are demanding you bring them to a farm ‘right now’ – we still have plenty of pretty parks and green patches alongside our urban jungle. And with that glorious green comes glorious wildlife! We’re not talking run-of-the-mill shrews and squirrels here: pangolins, otters and crocs, we’re looking at you! We’ve been donning our wellies and taking a hike around Singapore to find the spots around the island where you may just find our weird and wonderful wildlife neighbours, with not a ticket queue or gift shop in sight. Here’s some wildlife in Singapore you can expect to see on your next day out!
The best of Singapore wildlife: where you can spot wildlife in Singapore
1. Dugong
Known as sea cows – but ironically more likely to be found in Singapore than actual cows – dugongs (pictured above), are the gentle giants of the ocean. They can be spotted wallowing in the waters around the Northeast of Singapore, Changi, Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong.
2. Otters
Otters are undeniably cute. So you bet a sighting of these adorable creatures is sure to make anyone’s day. These guys are getting easier and easier to sight (we’ve even had them make an appearance near our home!), and can often be seen playing around the Marina Bay area. Other good areas for otter spotting include Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve, Pulau Ubin, Serangoon, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and Punggol. The kids will want to get close and hug them… but don’t. It’s easy to be fooled by their cute appearance, however otters are wild and have very sharp teeth, so be careful.
3. Wild boars
Wild boars are native to Singapore and can grow up to a whopping 100kg – so don’t get in their way! They are easy to find on a day trip to Pulau Ubin. Otherwise, head over to Tuas where reports were made of a large family of boar living at the bus interchange (trying to break across the border to get to Legoland, maybe?).
4. Macaques
These crafty fellas have totally got the measure of us human folk, and have sussed out that when there are people about, there is often food, too. Unfortunately, this means they can spot a carrier bag from the top of the highest tree! You’ll find them in all the forested areas around Singapore, and they can often be seen in residential areas these days too. Pulau Ubin is a guaranteed spotting zone, and exactly where we stumbled across a cheeky family eating pineapple that clearly didn’t belong to them. We’ve also seen them at MacRitchie Reservoir and along the Southern Ridges walk.
5. Porcupine
Not a cuddly kind of creature, although certainly an adorable one. Porcupines were once feared to be extinct in Singapore, but have been spotted alive and well over at Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong. They’re way more prickly than even the grumpiest of kids: stand back if you find one!
6. Civet cat
The word ‘cat’ is a bit misleading – these furry cuties are actually closely related to mongooses (or is it mongeese?). The common palm civet is the most likely kind of civet you’ll spot around Singapore. Look for them in forests, parks, mangroves and even your back garden. Psst: they’re not averse to a nighttime rummage around urban areas! You’ll find them all over Singapore. Just don’t forget to look up: they love to lurk in the trees.
7. Oriental Pied Hornbills
You’ll spot wild hornbills around Pulau Ubin and Changi, and these seriously cool-looking feathery friends sometimes visit urban areas to find and feed on fruit. Head into the forested areas of Pulau Ubin on your quest to look for wildlife in Singapore!
8. Pangolin
(No) thanks to Covid-19, these adorable and docile creatures have gotten a bad rep in the press this year. And while you may think you’ve stumbled across proof of alien life, the truly odd-looking pangolin is really a shy, nocturnal mammal. It’s covered in entirely earthly scales… made of compressed hair! Occasionally they wander into residential areas, but mostly you can spot them around the forested areas of Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Bukit Batok, or on an island-hopping day trip to Pulau Ubin or Pulau Tekong.
9. Dolphins
Surprised as we are? Yup, dolphins live off the shores of our tiny island. In particular, Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins and Indo-Pacific bottle dolphins are often spotted wild and happy in the Straits of Singapore, usually between here and Batam. Sister’s Island is a good bet for a sighting of these beautiful creatures.
10. Estuarine Crocodile
Crocs in Singapore you say? (No, we’re not talking about the rubber sandals that kids love to wear.) But there’s no need to run for the hills just yet – just stay away from suspicious moving logs in the water areas around Sungei Buloh, Kranji Reservoir and Pasir Ris Park! There’s a croc-spotting viewing spot at Sungei Buloh which makes a great place to try and catch a glimpse (without getting close to any snapping jaws!). One of our mini-reporters spotted a fair few crocs on a recent school trip to Sungei Buloh, and lived to tell the tale.
11. Mousedeer
Is it a mouse or is it a deer? Either way, you can try and catch a rare sighting of these secretive little creatures around Pulau Ubin, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, MacRitchie Reservoir and Central Catchment Nature Reserve. If all else fails, you can cheat and go to Singapore Zoo. #notquitethesamethough
Now go spot something cool, and don’t forget to send us your photos!
