Monthly Archives for November 2025

The Rediscovery of a Challenger Expedition Specimen in William Herdman’s Zoology Museum Collection at the University of Liverpool (and how digitisation is transformative).

Written by Leonie Sedman, Curator of Heritage & Collections Care, University of Liverpool.

Along with many other NatSCA members, I care for a mixed collection, meaning that one inevitably becomes something of a ‘Jack of all trades’ missing out on the academic satisfaction created by specialisation. As a curator who finds collections research to be the most satisfying part of my job, it can be frustrating when that research is often only possible on a ‘need-to-know’ basis – usually when a new display or exhibition is being planned, or when the specimens are to be used in teaching. Looking on the bright side though – this does provide glimmers of joy when the research produces something exciting!

In 2004 when I was first employed to manage the University of Liverpool’s Heritage Collections (medical & scientific museum collections built up through research or teaching), I retrieved a large proportion of the collections from attics and cellars where they languished because the objects and specimens were no longer actively used in teaching (this is now changing – but that would be a different blog). The Zoology Museum collection was one of these.

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NatSCA Digital Digest – November 2025

Compiled by Ellie Clark, Curator of Fossil Cnidaria at the Natural History Museum.

Welcome to the November edition of NatSCA Digital Digest.

Digital Digest is a monthly blog series featuring the latest on where to go, what to see and do in the natural history sector including jobs, exhibitions, conferences, and training opportunities. We are keen to hear from you if you have any top tips and recommendations for our next Digest, please drop an email to blog@natsca.org.

Sector News

GCG Winter Seminar in Hastings – Registration Open

While the call for abstracts has now closed, you can still register to join the Geological Collections Group in December at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery for their 2025 Winter Seminar and Annual General Meeting. The Seminar and AGM will be held at the Museum on December 10th and will be followed by a field trip to the coast in the Pett Level – Fairlight area on December 11th.

For registration forms and details about the talks of the day, guidance on what to expect during the field trip, and directions for finding your ways to all of the above, visit their website here.

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Splits and Distortion of a “Hisstoric” Snakeskin: Humidification as Part of Remedial Conservation Treatment of a Boa constrictor Skin”

Written by Claire Kelly, Conservator at Natural History Museum, London.

Boa Constrictor in Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles Gallery at NHM ©The Trustees of the Natural History Museum

A Boa Constrictor on display in the Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles Gallery at the Natural History Museum in London, UK was removed to undergo a considerable amount of remedial conservation treatment.

The taxidermy skin, dating from around the late 19th century, is mounted over a plaster form that was placed onto a wooden trunk. The skin exhibited severe deterioration with multiple splits in various areas located throughout the length of the specimen. The entire ventral seam had opened along with skin distortion and lifting around the splits without any stitched seam to hold it in situ. Most of the damage was at the ventral area of the specimen but some splits and distortion were visible whilst on display, along with material shed on to the case base.

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