Night Safari: Love in the Natural World

Join us for an exclusive Valentine’s-themed night at the Museum. Our scientists will reveal the little-known love-lives of the natural world, from fish perfume trails to date-drugging insects.

Enjoy a complimentary drink in Hintze Hall before starting your safari. Hear from three Museum scientists and take a close look at some of our best behind-the-scenes specimens. Choose from the Romance Tour or Passion Tour.

The Romance Tour

Big Passions in Little Creatures with Erica McAlister, Collections Manager
Learn about the ingenious mating rituals of the insect world. From drugging to stabbing, find out what is really happening in your garden, your home - and your bed.

Underwater Love with James Maclaine, Curator of Fish
Dive into the more intimate behaviours of aquatic life. From loving fathers to flashy displays in the deep dark sea, see what happens when things get really weird underwater.

Wasps and Bees with Gavin Broad, Senior Curator of Hymenoptera
Beneath bees’ dapper exteriors all sorts of bizarre behaviours lurk. Explore their explosive sex lives and incestuous inclinations, and find out how they nurture their offspring within the body of a caterpillar.

The Passion Tour

Fossilised Mating with Zerina Johanson, Researcher in Paleobiology
Explore the earliest evidence of sex on Earth. Find out how researchers are using the fossils of ancient armoured fish to learn about primitive sideways mating rituals under the sea.

Insect Attraction with Chris Lyal, Researcher in Entomology
Perfume, presents and love songs are just some of the surprising ways insects attract their mates. Explore the unexpected customs of insect courtship and mating , and the darker side of insect sex.

Mollusc Mating with Jon Ablett, Curator of Mollusca
Take a fascinating glimpse into the weird and wondrous mating habits of snails, seashells and squid. Learn about the historical symbolism of molluscs, which were traditionally linked to love and sex.

After your tour ends you will meet the Night Safari scientists, handle specimens from our collections and explore the Museum’s galleries after hours