Experience NTU’s varied wildlife and try your luck spotting these creatures on campus
by Junn Loh + ChatGPT / Illustrations and animations by Vivian Lim
Source of map information and 2D illustrations: Asst Prof Perrine Hamel, research assistant Noelle Ong and NTU student Zachary Chong from the Asian School of the Environment
WILDLIFE HOTSPOTS
1. Spotted wood owl
2. Oriental dwarf kingfisher
3. Common palm civet
4. Smooth-coated otter
5. Wild boar
6. Paradise tree snake
7. Crimson dropwing
8. Little bronze cuckoo
9. Large-tailed nightjar
10. Bronze flutterer
11. Red-breasted parakeet
12. Huntsman spider
13. Oriental whip snake
14. Plantain squirrel
15. Lesser dog-faced fruit bat
16. Asian emerald dove
17. Common birdwing
18. Straw-headed bulbul
19. Changeable hawk-eagle
20. Atlas moth
21. Malaysian pied fantail
1. SPOTTED WOOD OWL
The spotted wood owl, a nocturnal wonder with haunting calls, excels at blending into the woods. These owls have been sighted at Tamarind Hall and near the School of Art, Design & Media. To increase your chances of spotting them, head out during the serene moments of dawn or dusk. Direct your attention to tree branches and listen for their unique calls. Encountering them is a captivating experience.
SPOTTING DIFFICULTY: 3/5
2. ORIENTAL DWARF KINGFISHER
The oriental dwarf kingfisher is a stunning bird with neon-bright plumage. As a migratory species, it poses a delightful challenge for birdwatchers hoping to catch sight of it. Surprisingly, this tiny bird roughly the size of a sparrow has been spotted at NTU, including the North Spine and the School of Art, Design & Media. Keep an eye out for it near water bodies during its prime hunting times in the early mornings or late afternoons.
SPOTTING DIFFICULTY: 4/5
3. COMMON PALM CIVET
The common palm civet, a shy nocturnal creature, has been spotted near Hall 6 and Canteen 2. It is omnivorous, aiding in seed dispersal and enriching our ecosystem. Typically found in quiet, leafy spots near food sources, civets are timid by nature. If you encounter one, maintain your distance, minimise noise and move slowly to avoid startling it.
SPOTTING DIFFICULTY: 2/5
4. SMOOTH-COATED OTTER
The smooth-coated otters are the playful stars of our campus waterways. These endearing Singapore natives are now regulars at Nanyang Lake and the pond at Crescent and Pioneer Halls, delighting everyone with their aquatic antics and strong family ties. Skilled hunters, they have a diverse diet that includes fish. If you happen to spot them during a morning or evening stroll, enjoy the moment from a respectful distance.
SPOTTING DIFFICULTY: 2/5
5. WILD BOAR
Coming across a wild boar on campus might be surprising, but there’s no need to worry; these creatures coexist peacefully with humans if left undisturbed. They have also been seen near Hall 9 and the Jalan Bahar entrance. If you come across one, remain calm, give it space, and retreat slowly without sudden movements or loud noises. The next time you encounter a boar family, just remember they’re fellow campus dwellers, peacefully navigating their own boar business.
SPOTTING DIFFICULTY: 2/5
6. PARADISE TREE SNAKE
The paradise tree snake is known for its exceptional gliding abilities and vibrant patterns. Commonly found near foliage, it was also recently seen in the vicinity of Hall 15. Generally harmless to humans, this mildly venomous snake mainly preys on small lizards and frogs. You’re more likely to catch a glimpse of one during the warmer parts of the day. Keep a safe distance and move slowly as you observe this captivating reptile gracefully navigate its natural campus habitat.
SPOTTING DIFFICULTY: 3/5
7. CRIMSON DROPWING DRAGONFLY
Yunnan Garden plays host to flashy red-winged crimson dropwing dragonflies. They’re not just pretty to look at, but crucial for keeping those pesky insects in check. Want to catch them in action? Hang around the ponds and streams on a sunny day – that’s their favourite time to flit and flutter about. Watching them zip and zoom around adds a splash of excitement to the garden’s peaceful vibe.
SPOTTING DIFFICULTY: 1/5
FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED ON CAMPUS AS OF ACADEMIC YEAR 2022/23
10 Mammals
24 Spiders
28 Dragonflies & damselflies
22 Bees & wasps
20 Reptiles
90 Butterflies
139 Birds
*The wildlife sightings in this story were reported in the Earthlink NTU Nature Watch Telegram chat group and include other anecdotal accounts.
How we used AI
ChatGPT did basic research on wildlife and edited snippets put together based on the findings and other information sources.
😊: ChatGPT can almost instantaneously provide multiple ways of editing a line or paragraph, which can be handy.
🤔: Inaccuracies kept cropping up – the oriental dwarf kingfisher was described as having “lush green” in its plumage while the paradise tree snake was described as “not venomous” when in fact it is mildly venomous. All 3D visuals for this story had to be generated the usual way – with support from a digital artist – as AI lacks the relevant capabilities.
Junn
This story was published in the Jan-Feb 2024 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.
