The 'Perfect' Specimen
Episodes
Natalie tells us why kangaroos are actually terrible mothers
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 parasi...
Josh quizzes us on the colours of nature
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 Th...
Did witches ride broomsticks? Our guest explains why we might think so
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 f...
Why can no-one remember the time they used fish as candles?
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Natalie finds herself doing an impression of a pufferfish
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 'Pe...
Josh debunks the myth of ancient cyclopses
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Josh weighs up the benefits of giant swans and miniature elephants, whilst Natalie is salivating over one plant that produces many vegetables. Join us...
Natalie is not allowed to pick up our most delicate specimen yet
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Josh would rather have a cough than a salamander smoothie
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Th...
Our first guest brings a powderpuff with wings
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 f...
What's beautiful and smells like vomit?
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
Josh says don't research ostrich penises
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 b...
How loud is that penis?
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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' Specim...
Natalie gets schooled on tentacles
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 epi...
Natalie brings a very venomous golf ball with legs
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Nat...
Josh carries a fish like a clutch bag!
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
Natalie has an excuse to talk about space monkeys
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'reliable'. ...
Are there really that many ants in the world?
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'incomplete'. ...
Josh doesn't care about T. rex lips
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'overrated'. ...
Mistaking a marine reptile for a communist
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'fresh'. ...
That time Natalie really annoyed a chameleon
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for the third episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'Exuberant'...
Natalie totally thought that was its butt
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for the second episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'squishy'. ...
Josh has questions about waxy whale earplugs...
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for the first episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought 4 specimens all relating to the word 'perfect'. Do...
Introducing The 'Perfect' Specimen
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to The 'Perfect' Specimen, a podcast from the Natural History Museum, London. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishie...