Rare animals that make nature reserve their home

The Central Catchment Nature Reserve is the abode of rare mammals such as (from left) the Horsfield's flying squirrel, Sunda pangolin, the lesser mousedeer and the Sunda slow loris (below).
The Central Catchment Nature Reserve is the abode of rare mammals such as the Horsfield's flying squirrel (above), Sunda pangolin, the lesser mousedeer and the Sunda slow loris. PHOTOS: MARCUS CHUA
The Central Catchment Nature Reserve is the abode of rare mammals such as (from left) the Horsfield's flying squirrel, Sunda pangolin, the lesser mousedeer and the Sunda slow loris (below).
The Central Catchment Nature Reserve is the abode of rare mammals such as the Horsfield's flying squirrel, Sunda pangolin (above), the lesser mousedeer and the Sunda slow loris. PHOTOS: MARCUS CHUA
The Central Catchment Nature Reserve is the abode of rare mammals such as (from left) the Horsfield's flying squirrel, Sunda pangolin, the lesser mousedeer and the Sunda slow loris (below).
The Central Catchment Nature Reserve is the abode of rare mammals such asthe Horsfield's flying squirrel, Sunda pangolin, the lesser mousedeer (above) and the Sunda slow loris. PHOTOS: MARCUS CHUA
The Central Catchment Nature Reserve is the abode of rare mammals such as (from left) the Horsfield's flying squirrel, Sunda pangolin, the lesser mousedeer and the Sunda slow loris (below).
The Central Catchment Nature Reserve is the abode of rare mammals such as the Horsfield's flying squirrel, Sunda pangolin, the lesser mousedeer and the Sunda slow loris (above). PHOTOS: MARCUS CHUA

Forests may look calm from afar, but the cacophony of the sounds of nature tells a different story.

The Central Catchment Nature Reserve is a treasure trove of wildlife. Here are some of the rare mammals that can be found in Singapore's largest nature reserve:

HORSFIELD'S FLYING SQUIRREL

This is the most commonly seen flying squirrel in Singapore. It has a large, thin, reddish-brown flap called the patagium which connects the forelimbs and hindlimbs, and allows it to glide from tree to tree. In Singapore, it is one of three nationally threatened flying squirrel species. The others are the red-cheeked flying squirrel and the red giant flying squirrel.

SUNDA PANGOLIN

The Sunda pangolin is critically endangered globally as it is poached for its meat and scales.

LESSER MOUSEDEER

Critically endangered here, the lesser mousedeer inhabits primary and mature secondary rainforests. It is the smallest hoofed animal in Singapore.

SUNDA SLOW LORIS

Critically endangered in Singapore, this nocturnal creature is usually slow, but can move quickly when catching prey.

SOURCES: MARCUS CHUA, LEE KONG CHIAN NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE , INFOPEDIA

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on February 14, 2016, with the headline Rare animals that make nature reserve their home. Subscribe