CATALOGUE OF CRITTERS

Expat Living has launched a new hiking club, and we’ve already taken to the paths of MacRitchie Reservoir with our friendly readers. There are so many amazing nature spots to explore in Singapore – and so many critters to see. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the wildlife you might just encounter on a walk, if you’re lucky.

Oriental pied-hornbill

These are among the coolest birds you’ll ever see. The trademark honeycombed bill is not as heavy as you might assume, and it helps them make a racket when they call. The knob on top is called a casque; the male’s is bigger, with fewer black marks than the female. Hornbills nest in holes in tall trees. The male brings the female mud and she seals herself up in the hole leaving a narrow slit so he can feed his family.

Civet

Often called a civet cat, this strong-smelling creature isn’t a cat at all – more like a mongoose with a long tail, long muzzle and small ears. It eats fruit including mangoes and bananas, but also small snakes and birds. Civets are nocturnal, so you’re most likely to spot one on an evening walk. If you see babies, don’t pick them up or the mother may abandon them.

Monitor lizard

There are three varieties of these huge lizards in Singapore, growing up to three metres long. The monitor’s saliva contains over 50 kinds of bacteria, and they also secrete venom – bad news for prey, Don’t worry if you see one; they’ll likely scurry away immediately (at speeds of over 30kph!).

Long-tailed macaque

It’s exciting to see a monkey when you first spot one, but they can also be a bit scary, and aggressive when looking for food. Whatever you do, don’t feed them! Just the same, monkeys are cool creatures with incredibly interesting female-led, social hierarchies at work, so they’re great to observe. One trick to scare them away? Carry a rubber snake with you; they don’t like snakes. (For more tips, see the Fact File opposite.)

Malayan colugo

When you’re on a day hike, look up and you just might see a colugo hanging upside down in a tree, napping. At night, these nocturnal creatures fly through the air – not on wings, but thanks to a skin membrane that stretches from their neck, around the body, limbs and tail. A bit like those wingsuits those daredevils wear on all those YouTube videos.

Otter

Folks here just love their otters – so much so that there’s even an entire Facebook group devoted to them (facebook.com/OtterWatch). And why not? They’re so much fun to watch – particularly in the morning when they’re most active. There are now about 60 otters in Singapore, across ten separate families, each with its own space. They can squabble over territory, especially when pups are around.

Sunda pangolin

You’re unlikely to spot one of these rare and endangered guys, but if you do… what a treat! Pangolins are mammals, covered in scales that are soft at birth, but harden in adulthood. When threatened, they curl into a ball for protection. They lead solitary lives, meeting only about once a year to mate. These insectivores are often hunted in the mistaken belief they hold medicinal powers that can cure cancer.

Bat

Singapore is full of bats, but don’t freak out! These animals are great for controlling the insect population. You’ll often see them flying at dusk, but if you look carefully you can also see them hanging about by day, catching a few z’s. If one flies towards you, stay calm; it isn’t trying to land in your hair, just gobbling up a mozzie that was trying to bite you!

Wild pig

Yes, Singapore has wild pigs – lots of them. Pulau Ubin and Pasir Ris are hot spots. Take heed when you see signs warning you that they’re in the area, as they can be a bit aggressive, especially if there are piglets around. Give them a wide berth and don’t feed them, and you should be fine.

Malayan water shrew

No need to climb on a chair if you spot one of these. It’s not a mouse, though at first glance you might think it is. Look for a longer nose and darker coat. They’re kind of cute, actually.

Want to learn more about Expat Living’s hiking club? Email us at info@expatliving.sg, and keep an eye on our Events page online.