#SciFri: Why do snakes shed their skin?
As someone that studies reptiles and snakes in particular, I’m often asked why reptiles shed their skin. Before I answer that question, let’s take a step back. When some people picture a reptile shedding their skin (also called sloughing), they…
#SteveReviews: The Mystery of the Pink Dolphin
Anyone who has read Witness to Extinction by Samuel Turvey will be able to tell you how heartbreaking the extinction of the Yangtze river dolphin (or baiji) was despite the efforts put in place to prevent it. There are a…
#StevesLibrary: The Deep
As you can probably tell, I’m no marine biologist or oceanographer. However this doesn’t mean that I can’t appreciate the vast array of life that the oceans support. I was born and grew up on the South Essex coast so…
#StevesLibrary: Invasive Aliens
In the world of conservation, there are few groups of species that catch my attention and imagination more than invasive species. These are species that have been moved outside of their native range (usually by the agency of humankind) to…
#StevesLibrary: Dr Tatiana’s Sex Advice to all Creation
Back when completing my Masters Degree, there was an optional afternoon in how to construct arguments for popular science writing. This was held by Olivia Judson (who I hadn’t heard of until that time) but I wish I had. She…
#SciFri: Venomous caecilians
You may have seen this article (or one like it) at the beginning of the month, which caused a stir among the amphibian research community. As a group caecilians are severely understudied due to their fossorial nature which makes surveying…
#SteveReviews: The Tigers of Scotland
One thing we’re very good at doing in the UK, is focussing on conservation of endangered species in foreign countries, particularly those that we perceive as under threat such as pandas and tigers. We neglect our native species, resulting in…
#StevesLibrary: Crow Country
As many as you can probably understand, I am very much missing my fieldsite at the moment, sent on the border between the Norfolk Brecks and Broads – it is an oasis for wildlife. I’ve been wanting to know more…
#StevesLibrary: Dead Zone
If I had to sum up Dead Zone: Where the Wild Things Were by Philip Lymbery in a single sentence it would be this: A truly eye-opening read as to the effects of industrialised farming on the planet. Before we…
#SteveReviews: Beak and Brain
For a long time, as long as I can remember I’ve been fascinated by the unique fauna of New Zealand. Thankfully I was given the opportunity to visit earlier this year and see some it for myself. I wish I…
