Otters in Singapore: questions to discuss with your child

Start with a photograph or a story

“What’s it doing here?” is an understandable question when an otter appears beside a familiar path. You can use that question to read about Singapore’s wildlife with your child, even if you haven’t seen an otter yourselves.

Find a photograph, a suitable news story or AVS’s otter page. Read the caption together. Where was the animal seen? What does the picture show it doing?

Give wildlife space

AVS advises observing otters from a distance and not feeding or touching them. Read the official guidance before an outing. A photograph of an otter near people doesn’t mean it’s safe to approach one for a closer picture.

Ask your child what people could do to give the animals space. Look back at the guidance when discussing their suggestions.

Find the place on a map

Locate the place named in the story on a map of Singapore. Look for nearby homes, paths or waterways. Which questions can the map answer? Which need another source?

On a piece of paper, write “We found out” and “We still wonder”. Your child might ask why otters use that waterway or what happens when they pass through a busy place. Keep those questions on the page until you can find an answer.

Who else uses this place?

Talk about the walkers, cyclists or residents who might be nearby. What would give both people and wildlife enough room?

If your family is new to Singapore, look up unfamiliar place names as you go. Your child might want to compare the location with somewhere they know. Check the local guidance rather than assuming wildlife behaves the same way in both places.

Choose another Singapore story

Transport, sport and neighbourhood news can give you other places to look up. Let your child’s questions guide the choice, and check the story’s publication date.

The Comic Scoop sample includes Singapore and world news in comic form. The welcome issue changes and may not contain an otter story. You can preview its topics before reading it with your child.