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, and share tips on what to do if you encounter them in the wild!
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.
We’ve listed out some of the wildlife you can spot in Singapore, popular locations, and take note of their mating seasons to know when they might be most visible (but also most aggressive – always keep a wide berth!)
What to do if you encounter wildlife in Singapore
Wondering what to do if you come across any of these animals? We found Our Wild Neighbours very helpful – it’s an initiative by the Urban Wildlife Working Group (UWG) that lists out tips and resources on how to coexist with native wildlife. We did some research and found this really helpful guide to wildlife encounters from NParks. If you need urgent help on injured wildlife or have a case of wildlife in your home, call NParks’ 24-hour Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600 or ACRES at 9783 7782.
The best of Singapore’s wild neighbours: Where and when you can spot wildlife in Singapore
1. Birds of Singapore: Oriental Pied Hornbills, Eurasian Golden Orioles and more
Love bird watching? Get those wellies on, have your binoculars at the ready and brace yourselves for a good spot of our feathery friends! The good news is there is no shortage of birds across our island. Think birds like Oriental pied hornbills, Eurasian golden orioles, owls, parrots and many more. Looking to cheat-meet a wider range of winged buddies without having to survey the lands far and wide? Hot wing it with the fledglings to ‘Bird Paradise’ to check out the stunning residents in one spot. Psst… Our feathery friends sometimes visit urban areas too to find and feed on fruit. NParks also has some tips and explains birdwatching etiquette – learn from the experts!
Where to spot: Parks, forested areas, Bird Paradise
Mating season: Commonly March to June for most species
2. Chickens
Chickens aren’t really the first thing that comes to mind when you think of ‘wildlife in Singapore’, but they’re definitely not something you spot often during your day-to-day. Spotting them at residential areas or even in the city feels like seeing a rainbow – that might just be me though since they’re not common in my neighbourhood.
Where to spot: Several residential areas like Pasir Ris, Tampines, Ang Mo Kio, Pulau Ubin, parks, and nature reserves
Mating season: Generally from February to June
3. Peacocks and peahens
These beautiful birds seem like they’re too beautiful to just be spotted in the wild, but you’d be surprised! Sentosa is home to the largest population of these beautiful birds, estimated to be over 60 peafowls. There’s even a rare white peafowl – they are born with a condition known as leucism that reduces pigmentation in their body.
Where to spot: Sentosa
Mating season: February to August
4. Swans
The best place to spot the graceful swans has to be Swan Lake in the Singapore Botanical Gardens. They’re home to some black and white swans, although there aren’t that many so they could be hard to spot.
Where to spot: Swan Lake. Singapore Botanical Gardens
Mating season: March to May
5. Tortoise and turtle
These delightful little shelled creatures are a common sighting across the island, and the good news is you won’t have to venture very far either. If you haven’t spotted one yet, chances are you will get a glimpse of them swimming alongside Koi fish at ponds and lakes. If exploring the wild side of things floats your boat, endangered sea turtles like the green turtle and hawksbill turtle have been spotted around the Southern islands of Singapore. Did we mention there are even turtle nests and hatching sites at the Marine Park, Small Sister’s Islands?
Where to spot: Ponds, lakes, Southern Islands
Mating season: May to October
6. Malayan Colugo
Commonly known as the Flying Lemur, the Malayan Colugo is a nocturnal animal that feeds on leaves, leaf shoots, and flower buds. If you spot a shy and long animal with slender limbs gliding between trees, chances are you’ve made your first Malayan Colugo sighting!
Where to spot: Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Bukit Batok Nature Park
Mating season: Throughout the year
7. 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. Unfortunately, they’re classified as critically endangered and face threats from human activities like hunting, bycatch in fishing nets, and the loss of seagrass habitats.
Where to spot: Waters around the Northeast of Singapore, Changi, Pulau Ubin, and Pulau Tekong
Mating season: Throughout the year
8. Otters
Otters are undeniably cute. 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!). They have even made way into people’s homes – you might remember a man losing his prized Koi fish after otters ate them! The kids will want to get close and hug them… but don’t. It’s easy to be fooled by their cute appearance. NParks advises not to feed them, talk loudly near them, or chase them!
Where to spot: Marina Bay, Robertson Quay, Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve, Pulau Ubin, Serangoon, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, and Punggol
Mating season: Throughout the year
9. Wild boars
Wild boars are native to Singapore and can grow up to a whopping 100kg – so don’t get in their way! While they generally shy away from humans, mothers tend to get aggressive, especially when protecting their kids. Also, do note that it is illegal to feed them – offenders could face a maximum fine of up to $10,000! That’s one expensive feeding experience.
Where to spot: Pulau Ubin, Pulau Tekong, and the Western Catchment Area
Mating season: November to January
10. 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.
Where to spot: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Central Catchment Nature Reserve, and other areas within the Western Catchment Area, Bukit Batok Nature Park, and Sentosa
Mating season: Throughout the year
11. 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!
Where to spot: Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong
Mating season: September to December
12. 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.
Where to spot: Forests, parks, mangroves, and the roof spaces of buildings in urban areas
Mating season: September to December
13. Pangolin
You may think you’ve stumbled across proof of alien life, but 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. Just make sure to be careful when driving near their habitat – there have been reports in recent years of these cute creatures becoming roadkill.
Where to spot: Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Bukit Batok, Pulau Ubin, and Pulau Tekong
Mating season: Between July and October
14. Dolphins
Are you as surprised as we are? Yup, wild dolphins live off the shores of Singapore. 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.
Where to spot: Waters between St. John’s and Lazarus Islands
Mating season: Most active in the spring and summer months
15. Estuarine Crocodile
Crocs in Singapore, you say? (No, we’re not talking about the rubber sandals that kids love to wear.) Yes, estuarine crocodiles, also called saltwater crocodiles or ‘salties’ are native to Singapore! But there’s no need to run for the hills just yet – just stay away from suspicious moving logs in the water.
Where to spot: Sungei Buloh, Kranji Reservoir and West Coast, and Pasir Ris Park
Mating season: November to May
16. Mousedeer
Is it a mouse, or is it a deer? They’re probably closer to deer but smaller – kinda like a teacup poodle. They used to be hunted for their meat, which was said to be more tender than venison. But thankfully, these adorable creatures have been under the Wild Animals and Birds Protection Order since 1947 and are no longer being hunted.
Where to spot: Pulau Ubin, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, MacRitchie Reservoir, and Central Catchment Nature Reserve
Mating season: Typically between March and May
Now go spot something cool, and don’t forget to send us your photos!