Scientific name: Callosciurus finlaysonii

It’s not native, introduced species from Thailand.

Bidadari Park – 28 December 2024

The post Finlayson’s Squirrel appeared first on Singapore Geographic.

What was supposed to just be an exciting encounter between a Dog-faced water snake, Cerberus schneiderii, and its prey turned out to be a monumental discovery when fish experts such as Jiayuan Lin and even Dr Tan Heok Hui from Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum identified the fish as a Ladder gudgeon, Bostrychus scalaris.

According to them, this species of fish is presumed to be nationally extinct and the only evidence of its occurrence in Singapore was based on a watercolour painting by F. L. de Castelnau in a notebook compiled in Singapore between 1858 and 1862. In fact, the photographs you see here are reportedly the first photographic evidence of its existence in Singapore! But even then, as a herper, I only realised just how significant the sighting was when they compared it to the rediscovery of the Selangor mud snake, Raclitia indica, in Singapore in 2020.

This sighting also proves just how rich the biodiversity in Singapore is and just how much there is for us to discover and rediscover. If a fish not seen since the 1800s can suddenly appear in the jaws of a snake, who knows what new species might pop up tomorrow? As Jiayuan says, “if there’s one, there’s more!” We can only wait with bated breath the next exciting discovery the next lucky soul will make on our shores!

For more information, do check out this biodiversity record:
https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/NIS-2024-0003.pdf

Text and photo by Daryl Tan Photos are copyrighted to Daryl Tan

For more local wildlife photographs and fun facts, do check out his Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/clickingthecritters/

The post Ladder Gudgeon bitten by a Dog-faced water snake appeared first on Singapore Geographic.

The lesser mousedeer (Tragulus kanchil) is the world’s smallest hoofed animal. Listed as critically endangered in Singapore ( The Singapore Red Data Book (2008) Threatened Plants and Animals of Singapore ), this shy creature is restricted to our nature reserves. It’s Singapore Native Animal.

Location: Central Central Catchment Nature Reserve ( 2017-2021 )

All Photos are copyright to Francis Yap

The post Lesser mouse-deer appeared first on Singapore Geographic.

Scientific name: Calotes versicolor

Features:Total length to 37cm. A stout body with small, bumpy (keeled) scales. It has a spiny crest on the back of its neck and along the body. There are two spines above the ear opening. It has blackish streaks radiating from the eyes. Generally brownish to greenish yellow.

What does it eat? It eats insects and even small lizards.

Lizard babies: Adult males are larger with swollen cheeks. During the breeding season, males develop an orange head with a black blotch over the cheeks. They display to females and rivals by doing push ups and head bobs. For this reason, they are sometimes called ‘Blood-sucking lizards’, though of course, they do nothing of the sort.

Source: http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/reptilia/versicolor.htm

The post Changeable lizard – Oriental Garden Lizard appeared first on Singapore Geographic.

Easily spotted at Sungei Buloh

The post Mudskipper appeared first on Singapore Geographic.

Most common area: Dairy Farm, Bukit Timah, MacRitchie Reservoir

The post Wild Boar appeared first on Singapore Geographic.

Decsription:
Upperparts and tail olive-brown, belly and insides of limbs reddish-brown. Side of body has black and white stripes. Has long bushy tail. White eye ring. Nparks

Mostly can be found in common Park in Singapore

Interesting article about Squirrels in Singapore
https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1500_2009-04-13.html

The post Plantain Squirrel – Callosciurus notatus appeared first on Singapore Geographic.

Commonly spotted at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Bukit Batok

The post Malayan Colugo appeared first on Singapore Geographic.

In Singapore can follow this Facebook page Otter city founded by photographer Jeffery Teo

The post Otter appeared first on Singapore Geographic.