Steve's Herpetological Blog

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

Conservation

#StevesLibrary: DK Eyewitness: Amphibian

Thinking about my own personal development, few publishers have shaped children’s non-fiction as profoundly as Dorling Kindersley (DK). For more than three decades, the Eyewitness series has introduced millions of readers to subjects ranging from dinosaurs and space exploration to…

#SciFri: Kew Gardens – A Comprehensive Review and History of Britain’s Botanical Treasure

I have previously written on the wonders of Kew Gardens, but since then I have learnt a lot more about this amazing attraction, so I thought I’d try to do it justice this time. In my mind, there are few…

#SciFri: Wild Health – People, Nature & One Health

The health of people, animals and the natural world is inseparable. The quality of the environments in which we live, the health of wildlife and domestic animals, the spread of infectious diseases, the pollutants we release into the environment and…

#MuseumMonday: The Museum of Zoology at the University of Cambridge

The Museum of Zoology in Cambridge is one of Britain’s most important natural history museums, bringing together the history of zoological research, the extraordinary diversity of animal life and the development of modern biological science. Located in the heart of…

#SciFri: What to expect at RHS Hyde Hall

In my mind, there are few gardens in Britain quite like RHS Garden Hyde Hall. Set high on a ridge in the Essex countryside near Rettendon, between Chelmsford and South Woodham Ferrers, Hyde Hall combines formal horticultural displays, experimental planting,…

#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: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition has become one of the Natural History Museum’s most successful annual exhibitions, bringing together some of the most remarkable images of the natural world from across the globe. The 2025 exhibition (the sixty-first…

#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,…