5 Nature Reserves to Embark on a Wildlife Spotting Adventure

Living in a concrete jungle like Singapore, it may be easy to forget that we share our island with over 40,000 species¹ of flora and fauna. These include native blooms such as the Wild Rose Apple and Akar Kepapal, which we’ve featured in our Chinese New Year Red Packets this year in collaboration with the National Parks Board (NParks)’s Garden City Fund, as well as a diversity of animals like owls, crocodiles and of course – our favourite families of otters.

This comes as no surprise since our sunny island used to be a rich and dense tropical jungle. While Singapore has rapidly urbanised since its early days, wild animals can still be spotted today at pockets of nature around our country given continuous conservation efforts.   

If you’re up to spot some elusive animals living within our midst, grab your hiking boots for a trip to the wild right here in Singapore! Explore the many green spaces on our little red dot and get ready to be fascinated by the myriad of species that call Singapore home. At the same time, do keep a look out for the many native flowers that we’ve mentioned in our previous blogpost here. These wildlife add to the dynamism of our urban city, and truly makes Singapore unique.   

Without further ado, here’s introducing five animals native to Singapore that can’t be missed: 

1. Estuarine Crocodile at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve 

Naturally found in our local wild, with its first sightings in Singapore tracing back to the 1800s², the Estuarine Crocodile, also known as Saltwater Crocodile, is one of the largest crocodile species in the world and can grow to more than five metres in length³. This majestic creature often camouflages itself by keeping partially submerged in water, with only its eyes, nostrils, and part of its back exposed⁴, and can be found in coastal areas and wetlands such as our Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve⁵.  

Fun fact: The Estuarine Crocodile has the most powerful bite out of all species of crocodiles, earning them the reputation as a top apex predator⁴!  

Sadly, the Estuarine Crocodile is classified as critically endangered³ both internationally and in Singapore due to the destruction of its habitats, as well as overhunting for its hide to make products such as shoes and handbags. Overseas, its hatchlings are also sometimes sold as pets.

Besides keeping an eye out for these crocodiles, do look out for the wide range of native flora that Sungei Buloh is also home to. These include the bright yellow Sea Hibiscus⁶ and sweet scented Penaga Laut⁷ flowers, the latter of which is often used as dye, oil and even medicine. In addition, many native species such as the Mangrove Horseshoe Crab⁸ and Giant Mudskipper⁸ are also residents of Sungei Buloh. What’s more, the wetland also counts reptiles such as the King Cobra⁸ and Malayan Water Monitor⁸ as part of its dynamic ecosystem. 

2. Sunda Pangolin at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve 

The Sunda Pangolin, is a scaly mammal that is native to Singapore and the larger Southeast Asian region⁹. A unique animal unlike any other, the pangolin is covered with brown scales and has long claws as feet¹⁰. Found at various areas of Singapore, including Bukit Timah Nature Reserve⁹, this shy and solitary animal hunts mainly at night and feeds on insects such as ants and termites. For adult pangolins, it can consume up to 70 million insects every year⁹! 

Fun fact: Its tough scales are actually made of compressed hair⁹! When threatened, the pangolin curls itself up into an armoured ball by wrapping its tail around its body to protect its non-scaly underparts, and may even use its anal gland to produce a foul smell to deter predators⁹. 

Similar to the Estuarine Crocodile, the Sunda Pangolin is listed as critically endangered⁹ in Singapore due to the mass urbanisation that resulted in widespread habitat loss. Internationally, the low population of these animals can be attributed to over poaching for its meat and scales⁹. This is further exacerbated by its low fertility rate, resulting in its global population depleting much faster than it can recover⁹.  

Given its elusive nature, it’s your lucky day should you come across a pangolin when visiting Bukit Timah Nature Park! However, fret not should you not be able to spot one as the park is also home to a wide range of other native plants. This includes the Seraya¹¹ that is one of the oldest trees in Singapore, estimated to be at least 150 years old¹²! 

3. Common Palm Civet at Bukit Batok Nature Park 

Known affectionately as the Toddy Cat¹³, the Common Palm Civet is a nocturnal native mammal found in areas such as Bukit Batok Nature Park¹³. An omnivore, the civet can often be spotted navigating from tree to tree and feeding on fruits, leaves and worms¹³.  

Fun fact: The length of its tail is almost of equal length as its entire body¹⁴! 

Like other members of the civet family, the Common Palm Civet has a pair of stink glands near the base of its tail, which secretes a foul-smelling liquid when it feels threatened¹⁵. Interestingly, however, some have described these secretions as smelling like pandan¹⁶! 

If you’re a coffee lover, you may have also heard of civet-processed coffee, otherwise known as Kopi Luwak. However, due to increasing global demand for this type of coffee, it has given rise to unethical production practices¹⁷, often involving the poor treatment of these civets. Hence, should you come across Kopi Luwak, we’d encourage you to be mindful and say no to such coffee choices!    

Besides keeping an eye out for these civets at Bukit Batok Nature Reserve, do also look out for the leafy Tembusu¹⁸ trees that are native to Singapore. These large trees can grow up to 25 metres¹⁸ in height and is one of the many heritage trees identified in Singapore. 

4. Wild Boar at Pasir Ris Nature Park 

Native to Singapore, wild boars are large pigs that can weigh up to 100kg¹⁹. While they are natural omnivores¹⁹, these animals feed mainly on a plant-based diet that includes seeds, tubers and young plants¹⁹. With a keen sense of smell, these wild boars are foraging animals and are able to dig out underground tubers and seed for food²⁰.  

Fun fact: Despite their hefty weight, wild boars are surprisingly strong and fast runners²⁰! They are also especially fertile, in which the females can start reproducing at 18 months¹⁹ of age and give birth to up to six piglets a year¹⁹! 

In addition to spotting these animals at Pasir Ris Nature Park, do also keep your eyes peeled for the beautiful Blue Glassy Tiger butterfly²¹ that is also native to Singapore and identifiable by its unique bluish-grey wings. The park also features an edible garden²¹ with species such as lemon grass, tapioca and even the cocoa plant that is definitely worth exploring.  

5. White-throated Kingfisher at Punggol Waterway Park 

With a dark chocolate head, flank and belly, the White-throated Kingfisher gets its name from its contrasting whitish throat that extends down towards its breast. It’s electric blue wings and back also makes it easily identifiable from afar²². Native to Singapore²² and as one of the more common kingfishers in Southeast Asia²², it is highly adaptable and can be spotted frolicking at Punggol Waterway Park ²³, alongside fringes of the reservoir as well as open fields. 

Fun fact: the White-throated Kingfisher is one of the bigger kingfisher species found locally and can grow up to 28 centimetres²². Its considerable size allows it to not only feed on insects, but also prey on fish and small animals²². 

If you’re heading down to Punggol Waterway Park to spot one of these lovely birds, do also check out Singapore’s first man-made mangrove – My Waterway@Punggol²⁴. This man-made site features a variety of freshwater-tolerant mangroves and houses many native plant species such as the Lumnitzera Iittorea²⁴ and Kandelia candel²⁴. Since establishing this site, it has attracted a spectrum of endangered bird species and flora, allowing them to flourish within the area and contribute to the thriving ecosystem.  

We hope the above has pique your interest in heading out to discover and appreciate the whole range of wildlife we have in our country. If you’re curious to learn more about the other animals inhibiting our sunny island, check out one of Sir David Attenborough’s newest Netflix documentary here! Aptly named “Wild City”, this film unveils a whole different dimension of Singapore and takes you through the various unseen natural treasures that we might not even be aware of!  

Together, let us remember the importance of a sustainable living environment, and continue to #PowerTheChange by conserving our green spaces and protect our natural heritage, so that we can share this prosperity with future generations. 

References: 

1. (2018, October). National Parks Board, Wildlife in Singapore 
2. (2021, October). The Straits Times, 'Crikey!': 6 recent crocodile sightings around Singapore 
3. (2021, February). National Parks Board, Estuarine Crocodiles 
4. (2022). Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Estuarine crocodile 
5. (2019, August). National Parks Board, Crocodylus porosus Scheneider, 1801 
6. (2021, August). National Parks Board, Hibiscus tiliaceus L. 
7. (2021, August). National Parks Board, Calophyllum inophyllum L. 
8. (2019). National Parks Board, Humble Natives of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve 
9. (2021, February). National Parks Board, Pangolins 
10. (2019, August). National Parks Board, Manis javanica Desmarest, 1822  
11. (2019). National Parks Board, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve: A Model for Conservation 
12. (2018). National Parks Board, In The Company Of Giants 
13. (N.D.). National Parks Board, Mammals Native to Singapore 
14. (2021, November). Kidadl, The Asian Palm Civet: 15 Facts You Won’t Believe! 
15. (2022). Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Common palm civet 
16. (2018). National Parks Board, Common Palm Civet 
17. (2016, April). National Geographic, The Disturbing Secret Behind the World’s Most Expensive Coffee 
18. (N.D.) National Parks Board, A Visit to Bukit Batok Nature Park 
19. (N.D.) National Parks Board, Wild Boars 
20. (N.D.) National Parks Board, What Are Wild Boars? 
21. (N.D.) National Parks Board, Your Guide to Pasir Ris Park 
22. (2019). National Parks Board, Meet the ‘Kings’ of Singapore’s Skies 
23. (2014, November). National Parks Board, Interesting Sights at Punggol Waterway Park 
24. (N.D.) National Parks Board, My WaterWay@Punggol. A Living Laboratory for Urban Living Solutions