Animals to See in Singapore: The Best Places to Spot Wildlife

When you think of Singapore, skyscrapers, shopping streets and incredible food might come to mind first. But beyond the famous skyline lies a surprisingly wild side of the island.

Singapore is home to rainforest, mangroves, wetlands and nature reserves where travellers can encounter everything from smooth-coated otters and Oriental Pied Hornbills to monitor lizards and estuarine crocodiles.

For anyone searching for wildlife in Singapore or wondering what animals you can see in Singapore, the good news is that you don't need to travel far from the city to find them.

Here are some of the best places to experience Singapore's wildlife.

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

If you're looking for somewhere to see wildlife in Singapore, start with Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

Located in the north-west of Singapore, this extensive wetland is one of the island's most important natural habitats. Its mangroves, mudflats and waterways attract an impressive variety of wildlife.

One of the biggest attractions is the estuarine crocodile. These enormous reptiles can sometimes be seen basking beside the water or floating almost completely submerged. Singapore is home to the estuarine crocodile, also known as the saltwater crocodile, rather than alligators.

You could also encounter:

• Smooth-coated otters
• Malayan water monitors
• Kingfishers
• Herons
• Egrets
• Sunbirds
• Migratory shorebirds

NParks specifically lists estuarine crocodiles, smooth-coated otters and monitor lizards among the wildlife visitors may encounter at Sungei Buloh.

The reserve is particularly interesting between August and April, when migratory birds arrive after travelling from as far away as the Arctic region.

Wildlife to look for at Sungei Buloh

Best for: Crocodiles, otters, monitor lizards and birdwatching

Top tip: Bring binoculars and take your time around the viewing hides. Wildlife can be surprisingly easy to miss if you're rushing.

Spot Singapore's Famous Otters

One of the most exciting animals to see in Singapore is the smooth-coated otter.

These playful mammals have become a familiar sight around Singapore's waterways and coastal habitats. They can often be seen swimming, fishing or travelling together in family groups. NParks notes that smooth-coated otters can regularly be spotted in groups in mangroves, mudflats and other coastal areas.

Sungei Buloh is a particularly good place to look for them, but otters can appear in other parts of Singapore too.

Keep an eye around waterways at places such as Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and other green spaces connected to Singapore's wider network of waterways and parks.

If you do spot a family of otters, keep your distance and watch rather than approaching them. They are wild animals and should never be fed or chased.

Look Up for Oriental Pied Hornbills

Bird lovers have plenty to look forward to in Singapore, particularly if you're hoping to see a hornbill.

The Oriental Pied Hornbill is one of Singapore's most recognisable birds, with distinctive black-and-white plumage and a large pale yellow bill.

They can be found in forested areas, parks and gardens, including Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Pulau Ubin and the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

These striking birds are particularly interesting because they were once considered extinct in Singapore. Conservation efforts, including the installation of artificial nest boxes, helped them return from the 1990s onwards.

If you hear a loud, unusual call while walking beneath the trees, look upwards. Your mystery bird could be a hornbill.

Explore the Rainforest at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

For a completely different wildlife experience, head into the rainforest at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

Located surprisingly close to the developed parts of Singapore, Bukit Timah protects one of the island's remaining areas of primary rainforest. The 163-hectare reserve is home to a wide range of plant and animal species.

Among the wildlife you might encounter are the Malayan colugo and Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, alongside numerous birds, insects and other rainforest creatures.

The key here is patience. Forest animals can be elusive, so slow down, keep noise to a minimum and look carefully into the canopy.

For more ideas, NParks' guide to hiking in Singapore is useful for finding trails through the island's natural areas.

Discover Wildlife on Pulau Ubin

For travellers wanting to escape the modern side of Singapore altogether, a trip to Pulau Ubin offers a very different experience.

The island is known for its more rural atmosphere, cycling trails, forests and coastal habitats. It is also one of the places where Oriental Pied Hornbills can be encountered.

Bring a camera and keep an eye out as you explore the island's paths and wooded areas. The slower pace makes it a great option for travellers who want to combine cycling and nature spotting.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

You don't necessarily need to venture into a remote nature reserve to see wildlife.

The Singapore Botanic Gardens provides another opportunity to experience Singapore's biodiversity while remaining relatively close to the city.

The gardens are home to numerous bird species and are also one of the locations where Oriental Pied Hornbills can be found.

It makes a particularly easy addition to a Singapore itinerary: spend the morning exploring the gardens before heading back into the city for lunch or sightseeing.

Other Animals You Might Spot in Singapore

Singapore's wildlife extends far beyond crocodiles, otters and hornbills.

Depending on where you explore, you could also encounter:

• Monitor lizards
• Long-tailed macaques
• Wild boar
• Civets
• Pangolins
• Snakes
• Bats
• Kingfishers
• Herons
• Egrets
• Raptors

NParks maintains guidance on many of the wild animals visitors may encounter across Singapore, including crocodiles, otters, hornbills, macaques, monitor lizards, pangolins and wild boar.

Of course, seeing wildlife is never guaranteed. That's part of the fun. Rather than visiting with a checklist of animals you expect to see, go with an open mind and see what appears along the way.

How to Spot Wildlife Responsibly

The best wildlife encounters are the ones where the animal barely notices you're there.

Keep to designated trails, maintain a safe distance and never attempt to touch, chase or feed wild animals. NParks specifically advises visitors not to approach, provoke or feed wildlife.

A pair of binoculars can also make a huge difference, particularly when looking for birds or animals high in the trees.

And remember: if you don't see the animal you're looking for, don't be disappointed. Singapore's forests and wetlands are ecosystems rather than wildlife attractions, and sometimes the most memorable moments are the unexpected ones.

Experience the Wild Side of Singapore

Singapore's reputation as a futuristic city can easily overshadow just how much nature exists alongside it.

From crocodiles and otters at Sungei Buloh to hornbills around Pulau Ubin, and rainforest wildlife at Bukit Timah, there are plenty of opportunities to discover animals in Singapore without travelling far from the city.

So when planning your next Singapore trip, leave some room between the skyscrapers and shopping.

You might just discover a much wilder side of the island.

Quick Guide: Where to See Animals in Singapor

🐊 Estuarine crocodiles – Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

🦦 Smooth-coated otters – Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and coastal waterways

🐦 Oriental Pied Hornbills – Pulau Ubin, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Singapore Botanic Gardens

🦎 Malayan water monitors – Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and other wetlands

🐒 Long-tailed macaques – Forests and nature reserves across Singapore

🦋 Butterflies and insects – Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Singapore's nature parks

🐦 Migratory birds – Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, particularly between August and April

🦇 Bats – Forests, parks and other natural areas