The 'Perfect' Specimen

We discover how a downcast Charles Darwin discovered a chunky rat, there is also a problematic fossil jigsaw, and the dinosaur that became a bird. Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie are joined by curator Emma Bernard with three specimens all relating to the word 'Awkward'. Emma also shares their 'perfect' specimen. Does the perfect museum specimen exi...

Happy Pride Month from The 'Perfect' Specimen where we're celebrating all things queer in the collection. Get ready for swan throuples, a dual-sex grackle and poetry about trans pheasants. This week Josh and Natalie are joined by curator Dr. Alex Bond with three specimens all relating to the word 'proud'. Alex also shares their 'perfect' specimen. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the...

How did a whale inspire a BTS song, and why is it lonely? Is being an endling really the end? Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie are joined by curator Dr Marc Jones with three specimens all relating to the word 'Lonely'. Marc also shares their 'perfect' specimen. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or eve...

What is the real Megalodon, what have flies ever done for us and what can't help spreading diseases, aside from toddlers? Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie are joined by curator Dr Katie Collins with three specimens all relating to the word 'Misunderstood'. Katie also shares their 'perfect' specimen. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the...

Unicorns, walking trees and a frog with a surprising link to Guinness beer! Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen. This week Josh and Natalie are joined by curator, Dr Jeff Streicher, with two specimens relating to the word 'Mythical'. Jeff also shares his 'perfect' specimen. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious...

Chainmail snails, uncrushable beetles and a secret space mission manned by moss piglets? Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie are joined by curatorial assistant, Talay Namintraporn, with three specimens all relating to the word 'tough'. Talay also shares their 'perfect' specimen. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most ex...

Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week's word is 'friendly'. Josh and special guest, Dr Gavin Broad bring along their parasitic pals. Meanwhile Natalie reveals why Kangaroos and quokkas are not as cute and cuddly as they might seem! Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious? Each episode, our hosts take the...

Natalie finds a use for her collection of toy frogs and Josh very carefully takes a look inside a 200 year old book! Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'colourful'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious? Each episode, our hosts ta...

Why would an insect gather a lethal pesticide and an analysis of how flat a flatworm is, are just two of the topics from this weeks episode. Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie are joined by curator Beulah Garner with three specimens relating to the word 'seductive'. Whilst Beulah also get's to talk about her 'perfect' specimen. Does the perfect museum...

Is it fat catfish or fatcat fish? Josh and Natalie debate the important issues in this episode, and do not go down any rabbit holes... With two of the specimens, stories of nefarious ichthyology abound! Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'elusive'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the...

Josh brings the podcast's first mineral specimen and our second guest shares a look at some very special books. Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'artistic'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious? Each episode, our hosts take the...

Josh weighs up the benefits of giant swans and miniature elephants, whilst Natalie is salivating over one plant that produces many vegetables. Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'wild'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most reliable? Each...

Josh and Natalie have gifts for each other and we learn how competitive carving radishes can be. Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'festive'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious? Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80...

Josh brings a specimen that started life in a car park, and Natalie isn't being rude when she talks about big noses. Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'young'. Keep an eye out, there may even be some bonus specimens too. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuber...

We welcome our first guest to discuss their perfect specimen, Josh brings a very unique fossil and we take a look at some fascinating flies. Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie are joined by Dr Erica McAlister to discuss a new proposal for the 'perfect' specimen, as well as some other specimens all relating to the word 'spiky'. Does the perfect museum...

This is our thirteenth episode. Are we lucky, or unlucky to have got this far? Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'unlucky'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most reliable? Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens...

For our Halloween special, Natalie possibly has the wrong crab and Josh has brought our oldest specimen (if you don't count fossils) - but they have both dressed for the occasion. Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'spooky'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exu...

Natalie shares an unusual world record, and Josh tries to get his head around shrimp claw physics. Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens, and maybe even a bonus specimen, all relating to the word 'loud'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most reliable? Each episode,...

What's been the best specimen so far? How do Josh and Natalie choose their specimens? And are we being biased towards mammals? Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie are answering your questions. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious? Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 mill...

How are scientists redefining venom, and why is Josh breaking the rules? Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens, and maybe even a bonus specimen, all relating to the word 'noxious'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most reliable? Each episode, our hosts take their pi...

Does Josh really know the best way to carry a fish specimen through the Museum, and what's sent Natalie down a wormhole? Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'Tacky'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious? Each episode, our hosts ta...

Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'reliable'.    Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious?    Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their only...

Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'incomplete'.    Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious?    Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their on...

Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'overrated'.    Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious?    Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their onl...

J oin us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'fresh '.     Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious?     Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their onl...