Steve's Herpetological Blog

An insight into the life of Steve, his research and the many books he reads

Steven Allain

#MuseumMonday: My visit to the British Optical Association Museum

You have probably noticed that I am not an optometrist, and I do not spend hours looking at the eyes of amphibians and reptiles for hours on end. However, I still appreciate that side of science and so I recently…

#SciFri: Fossil Hunting at the Kings Dyke RIG Site

It will be no surprise to regular readers of this blog that I really enjoy fossil hunting! Recently, I visited a new site with a number of friends of mine, at the Kings Dyke Nature Reserve, which is often referred…

#SciFri: Breaking Barriers – Women in Wildlife

For over two centuries, women have been at the heart of conservation, challenging norms, advancing science, and protecting the natural world. At ZSL’s Breaking Barriers: Women in Wildlife Wild Talks event, this legacy took centre stage, celebrating both the pioneers…

#StevesLibrary: Spare Parts

As you may have noticed, I have been down a bit of a medical history rabbit hole recently, you’ll be glad that this is still going strong! I recently learned about Spare Parts: An Unexpected History of Transplants by Paul…

#SciFri: Pokécology at the Natural History Museum

From early 2026, the Natural History Museum (a place that I cherish) hosted a unique collaboration with The Pokémon Company centred on the concept of Pokécology. This event went beyond a simple retail pop-up as has happened at other museums,…

#MuseumMonday: My visit to the Barts Pathology Museum

Okay, it is finally here! If you’ve been following my blog and social media accounts over the past few weeks, you’ll be aware this post has been coming for a while. The Barts Pathology Museum is one of the most…

#SciFri: On The Art of Teeth at Barts Pathology Museum

Recently, I mentioned that I had previously visited the Barts Pathology Museum, and that I’ll be featuring it on #MuseumMonday in the near future. However, on my first visit back before Christmas, there was a site-specific art installation being exhibited…

#ToyTuesday: Reviewing the Toymany 16-Piece Sea Animal Figurines Playset

If you’ve been following my blog for a while now, you’ll know that I really love to visit aquariums to see what species are on display, and to try to increase my knowledge on the species that are usually out…

#MuseumMonday: Why visit the St Bartholomew’s Hospital Museum?

The St Bartholomew’s Hospital Museum is one of the most significant medical history museums in the United Kingdom. Located within the grounds of St Bartholomew’s Hospital in West Smithfield, London, the Museum explores nearly nine centuries of medical care, scientific…

#MuseumMonday: What is The Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum?

I recently visited a museum I have walked past a number of times in the past. I completed one of my MRes projects while studying at Imperial College London at the St Mary’s Campus and never noticed this museum, despite…