Steve's Herpetological Blog

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

Conservation

#SciFri: Homo sapiens – Classifying the Human Animal

The classification of the human species has occupied philosophers, physicians, theologians, and naturalists for thousands of years. Long before the emergence of modern biology, human beings sought to understand what humanity was, how humans differed from animals, and whether differences…

#SteveReviews: Secret Garden

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that last week was Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, I could therefore think of no better way to celebrate than to watch Secret Garden. In an age dominated by frantic streaming…

#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…

#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,…

#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…

#SciFri: The Power of Trees at Kew Gardens

When I visited Kew Gardens last summer, The Power of Trees exhibition was on display at the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art. Running from the 12th April to the 14th September 2025, this exhibition was conceived as a sweeping…

#StevesLibrary: The Lives of Frogs – A Natural History

It is not very often that we get a new mainstream book on frogs, which are an animal group which I have a close affinity to. On the surface, frogs might seem like simple, ordinary creatures, those small amphibians you…

#SciFri: Trailblazers & Pioneers – 200 Years of Wildlife Science

For two centuries, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has stood at the forefront of wildlife science, conservation, and public understanding of the natural world. Founded in 1826, ZSL established what became the world’s first scientific zoo, now known as…

#SciFri: ARC-BHS Joint Scientific Meeting 2025

Back in November, it was that time of year again where your favourite herpetologists from around the country (and further afield) descend on the seaside town of Bournemouth. For most of you, I suspect that this generally marks the start…

#StevesLibrary: Top 10 books on Rewilding

These Top 10 lists I’ve been writing every now and again seem to be popular, so I may try to write one every month or so. The topic of this list is books on rewilding. But what is it? Rewilding…