10 rare wildlife in Singapore and where to find them

You can find both the greater mousedeer and lesser mousedeer in Singapore. The former was thought to be extinct in Singapore for many years until a resighting on Pulau Ubin, while the latter is listed as critically endangered on our little island. The lesser mousedeer is the smallest hoofed mammal in the world (it only grows up to around 45cm!), with an adorable mouse-like face on a small, round body. Watch out for its fangs though – and in Malay and Indonesian folktales, these creatures are seen as exceptionally sly and cunning. 

Catch a glimpse of the lesser mousedeer at Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Nature Reserves. The greater mousedeer was also sighted at Pulau Ubin after more than 80 years of absence. 

Just over the weekend, anglers found over 100 hawksbill turtle hatchlings making their way to the ocean on East Coast Park. Though these animals are critically endangered in Singapore, female turtles do return to our shores to lay their eggs, and if you're lucky, you can catch the turtles grazing in our shallow coral reefs too. If you ever do spot hawksbill turtles or its hatchlings, admire from after – it's an offence to collect the turtles or its hatchlings under the Wildlife Act. 

Catch a glimpse at East Coast Park or among our coral reefs.

This little critter made the news this year for a successful introduction to the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The cinnamon bush frog is a species native to Singapore, but listed as vulnerable due to habitat loss and low population numbers. Previously found in the Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Reserves, they were introduced to the Botanic Gardens in 2017 as part of the National Parks Board's (NParks) species recovery programme. It seems that they love their new home – these reddish brown and white-spotted frogs have multiplied enough for researchers to call the introduction a success. 

Catch a glimpse at Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Reserves, and the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Listen out for a 'poop' call especially in the evenings. 

The spotted wood owl is Singapore's largest owl. This elusive species is critically endangered, but there seems to have been more sightings in recent years. You'll know you're looking at one from its distinctive 'earless' head, orange-brown face as well as white belly flecked with black bars. According to NParks, the owl was first spotted in Singapore in 1985, and has since been seen in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Pasir Ris Park and in 2020, even perched on a drain railing near Farrer Road. 

Catch a glimpse at the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. This owl is a forest dweller, and seems to like water bodies, so keep your eyes peeled anywhere near locations that fit this description.

You won't mistake a Raffles' banded langur for the more commonly-seen long-tailed macaques. These monkeys are about twice the size, and have fluffy black and white fur, with distinctive white crescent moons enclosing their eyes like brackets. Also known as the banded leaf monkey or banded surili, they gained a new name after Sir Stamford Raffles noted these primates as a new species in 1822. The Raffles' banded langur once flourished across Tuas, Pandan, Bukit Timah, Tampines and Changi, but there are now only 40 to 60 of these native monkeys in Singapore's wild. 

Catch a glimpse on a hike in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, though the odds are low. Keep your gaze high in the trees where they prefer to stay, or listen out for an alarm call that's been likened to a machine gun.  

Talk about a comeback. The oriental pied hornbills are a species native to Singapore, breeding here up to the 1960s, when they were thought to have gone locally extinct. It was only in the 1990s that they were spotted regularly again on Pulau Ubin, and with the help of nesting boxes on the mainland, they've built up a sizeable population of about 60 to 100 hornbills. These oriental pied hornbills are impressive-looking: they stand about 70cm tall, have black and white plumage, as well as a massive beak topped by a casque or 'horn'. 

Catch a glimpse all over the island and Pulau Ubin. They prefer moist lowlands, but have been spotted near urban areas like condominiums and shopping malls.  

No, not the chilli crab. The Johoro singaporensis is a freshwater crab that can only be found in Singapore – nowhere else in the world! According to NParks, it prefers fast-flowing streams in undisturbed forests, where it hides under rocks and digs for food on the stream bed. Growing up to only 30 millimeters in size, these nocturnal creatures are considered one of the top 100 most threatened species in the world, its population having declined sharply for any number of reasons including acidification of our waters, and habitat loss due to urbanisation and industrialisation. 

Catch a glimpse in small streams at Bukit Timah, Bukit Batok and Bukit Gombak, though population numbers are low and the crabs themselves are small. 

How sweetly the caged bird sings. For the straw-headed bulbul, its melodious voice has been its downfall across Southeast Asia, where a relentless bird trade has compounded habitat loss. Surprisingly, Singapore is considered somewhat of a stronghold for this critically endangered bird species. About 200 straw-headed bulbuls now call Pulau Ubin and the Singapore mainland home, where the government, NGOs, universities and other interest groups have made it a point to help this caged bird fly free. 

Catch a glimpse at major reserves and nature parks in Singapore, including Dairy Farm, Bukit Timah and Bukit Batok. Look out for a handsome brown bird with a dusty orange head, white-streaked breast and black stripes over the eyes and corners of the beak. Keep an ear out for its sweet singing too. 

Pangolins are the only mammals in the world with scales. When it curls into a tight ball, the scales running down its head, back and tail act like armour against threats. It's led to funny monikers – some people say the pangolin looks like "an artichoke with legs" – but there's a dark side to the story too. In Asia and Africa, its scales and meat are thought to have medicinal properties, leading to widespread poaching. In Singapore though, the Sunda pangolin is primarily threatened by habitat loss. These shy, slow-moving animals also get hit by vehicles when they venture from their forested homes onto roads. 

Catch a glimpse at the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and  Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. They can also be found on Pulau Ubin and – for the soldiers – Pulau Tekong. 

The common birdwing is one of Singapore's largest butterflies by wingspan, and despite its name – not that commonly found in our country anymore. This stunning insect has black forewings and striking yellow hindwings, and is said to be found near its host plant known as the Indian Birthwort or Dutchman's Pipe. More than 100 butterfly species in Singapore have gone extinct, but efforts are underway to reintroduce wildflowers and conserve areas that will support the survival of remaining species. So, there's hope for the common birdwing to be more common yet. 

Catch a glimpse at your nearest park or nature reserve. Common birdwings are not as abundant as before, but have been spotted at places like Jurong Eco Green, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Hort Park and Upper Seletar Reservoir Park.