Singapore is not called a “Garden City” for nothing. Apart from the occasional monkeys, kingfisher birds, and wild boars you see around the island, our tiny red dot is also home to various other animals that roam freely in the lush forests here.
Keep an eye out for these animals in their natural habitat around Singapore, rather than visiting them at the zoo. If you go out and explore some of these nature reserves and parks this weekend, you may get lucky and spot these creatures roaming around.
Central Catchment Nature Reserve — Malayan Colugo (Flying Lemur)
Covering over 2,000 hectares of greenery, the Central Catchment Nature Reserve is the largest nature reserve in Singapore. Not only is this reserve home to various flora and fauna, but you can also find various wildlife here, including the Malayan Colugo.
Also known as the Sunda Flying Lemur, these nocturnal creatures can be seen gracefully gliding from one tree to another. Malayan Colugos are shy, with long and slender limbs. They also have webbed fingers and toes, allowing them to easily glide in the air.
Other wildlife such as the Raffles Blended Langur, Sunda Pangolin, and Macaque can also be spotted along this nature reserve.
Labrador Nature Reserve — Pangolin
Labrador Nature Reserve is full of biodiversity, history and picturesque views. Part of the Southern Ridges, this reserve comprises various parks including Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, and Kent Ridge Park. Within this reserve, you will also get a glimpse of a genuinely historic WWII fort.
Along the reserve, you will be able to spot the Pangolin, one of the world’s most trafficked mammals. Also known as a Scaly Anteater, due to their diet of ants and termites, Pangolins have long snouts and tongues, with a body covered in scales.
While they typically stay on ground level, they are also good climbers. As these creatures are shy and nocturnal, look out for them during the evenings, when they usually emerge from their burrows. Besides Pangolins, you can also find various species of birds here, including the Rusous Woodpecker and the Blue-Crowned Hanging Parrot.
Coney Island Park — Spotted Wood Owl (Singapore’s largest owl)
Coney Island is a well-known rustic yet ecologically sustainable park, rich with biodiversity. Once home to a lone cow, this park now focuses on conserving energy and water while retaining its natural elements.
Coney Island is also known as a sanctuary for various species. Here, you will be able to find a variety of birds, including the Spotted Wood Owl: the largest owl in Singapore. With a brown head, orange facial disc, and a yellow throat band, this owl can grow up to 48cm in length.
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve — Estuarine Crocodile
Filled with an extensive mangrove forest, Sungei Buloh Wetland reserve is Singapore’s first ASEAN Heritage Park. With 202 hectares of wetlands, this reserve is full of flora and fauna, including various trails for the public to explore.
At Sungei Buloh, you will be able to get a glimpse of some crocodiles at a designated viewing spot — if you notice any wooden logs moving in the water, your best bet is to stay away! As one of the largest species of crocodiles in the world, the Estuarine Crocodile (males) can grow up to 5.2 metres in length. These species have a heavy build, with its body ranging in shades of golden, grey, and black.
On top of crocodiles, look out for mudskippers, crabs, shellfish, water snakes, monitor lizards, and even otters while venturing through the wetlands.
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve — Mousedeer
Bukit Timah Nature reserve is located on Bukit Timah Hill, Singapore’s highest hill. Standing at 163.63 metres, this region is full of lush greenery and flowers, which retains some of Singapore’s primary rainforest.
This reserve is home to more than 500 different wildlife species, including the Mousedeer. Unlike the name, this hoofed mammal is neither a mouse nor a deer. The Mousedeer is small, and can grow as tall as 48 cm, characterised by an oval-shaped body with spots or stripes.
This nature reserve is also a sanctuary for Macaques. Don’t get too close though, as these monkeys can be aggressive, especially if you have food on you. These cheeky monkeys can be seen even before you enter the reserve — just look to the top of the hill.
Bukit Batok Nature Park — Asian Palm Civet
Once an abandoned quarry, Bukit Batok Nature Park offers stunning views of the quarry. Here, you can admire the beauty and greenery around the area as you stroll through the park. The Bukit Batok Memorial sits in the middle of the park, paying tribute to both the soldiers and victims of WWII.
You may also notice some wildlife roaming around the park, one of which is the Asian Palm Civet. While this animal may share characteristics similar to a cat, these creatures are more closely related to mongooses and weasels. The Asian Palm Civet also has a long body, with grey shaggy hair. Keep your eyes peeled during your visit if you want to spot this wildlife species.
