Wildlife in Singapore
Singapore has a deserved reputation as a modern metropolis, a regional financial centre, a model of planning and organisation. I’m sure we have all seen the stunning images when Singapore appears on the international stage - the Marina Bay Sands hotel, for example - or perhaps the Formula 1 track illuminated for the annual night race. Beautiful images that make me, even just an expat, proud to be a small part of this city state.
In fact, I have a small Ebook with such images that can be previewed here.
Singapore does not, however, have a reputation for being a wildlife destination. You won’t see herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically down Orchard Road, that’s for sure. But there is wildlife here, if you choose to look. I hope to display some of that in the images below. All images have been taken in wild areas or public parks - nothing from a zoo, no animals were captive.
If you are interested in wildlife images, I would recommend National Geographic The Photo Ark: One Man's Quest to Document the World's Animals. I can only dream of taking shots like these!
Well, enough from me, now on to the real stars of the show, the wildlife of Singapore!
Let’s start off in slightly dramatic fashion with this little beauty. Saltwater crocodiles can be found in and around Sungei Buloh nature reserve which lies on the north of the island, near to the causeway to Malaysia. I was lucky enough to spot this chap when he was feeding. The crocs can often be spotted in the water or basking on the shores near the footbridge leading into the reserve. Migratory birds, otters, spiders, snakes and large monitor lizards can also be found here.
Let’s keep the drama going with a mangrove pit viper. Thankfully this one was at a decent distance and I had a long lens on the camera. Snakes can be found around the island in various forested parks and reserves - and it is not that uncommon for them to be seen in built up areas as well. Pythons in particular seem to pop up on news stories every 2 or 3 months. In fact, a 3 metre specimen was even found in Orchard Road in early 2019 - you can read about that in this news article.
If you do go out to the reserves or parks, please take care when on any boardwalks - snakes often encroach onto them - here we have a juvenile mangrove pit viper on the mangrove board walk at Pasir Ris Park.
Grey herons are commonly seen in wetland areas, was lucky to catch this one as he was having his breakfast.
Otters have become increasingly common in Singapore in recent years and can really be found all over the island - including central tourist spots such as Gardens by the Bay - although that’s not where I spotted this wee fella.
This beautiful chap is a common kingfisher, another visitor to parks and wetlands around the city. I’ve spent many happy hours watching, waiting and snapping this wonderful bird.
And here we have a monitor lizard - again, common across the island in parks where you can find ponds or lakes. Even in central locations such as the Botanical Gardens.
Let’s finish off with another bird. This is an olive-backed sunbird watching over her nest.
Please do check my wildlife gallery for more images - thank you!
“When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money.”