This adaptable animal is widespread and common in Singapore. It can be found in urban areas and is known to inhabit gardens and roof spaces (Baker & Lim, 2012: 152). The common palm civet, Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, has been split into three species by a recent study (Veron et al., 2014). The name Paradoxurus hermaphroditus is restricted to the populations in India, southern China and Indo-china (henceforth as Indian palm civet). The form in Singapore, peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Java is Paradoxurus musangus (Sumatran palm civet), named by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1821 as Viverra musanga based on animals from Sumatra. Those in Borneo and the Philippines are Paradoxurus philippinensis (Philippine palm civet).

The Sumatran spitting cobra is a relatively common venomous snake in Singapore, occurring in forest, scrubland, gardens and around human habitation. It is known to feed on rats and toads and other small vertebrates (Baker & Lim, 2012: 117; Das, 2010: 317). The featured prey is identified as a Malaysian wood rat (Rattus tiomanicus) on the basis of its distinctly white underparts and the mangrove habitat. In Singapore, this species of rat inhabits secondary forest, scrubland, plantations and mangroves (Baker & Lim, 2012: 141).