UK heatwave sparks snake warning over rise in ‘incidents’ as Brits to bake in 35C warmth

As the UK has entered its third heatwave, as heat health alerts have been issued and now warning a summer snake warning from the RSPCA after a rise in incidents

View 4 Images

Brits have been given another warning this week as parts of the UK are facing a 35C heatwave this week, but this time it is not about the heat.

The RSPCA is urging pet snake owners to be extra vigilant during the warmer months, including this week’s heatwave, after new figures showed a sharp rise in snake-related incidents across England and Wales.

The animal welfare charity received 1,485 reports involving snakes during 2025, which is a 52% increase compared to 2024 (980 incidents) and the highest annual total recorded in the last five years.

Incidents peak during the summer months. Between May and September 2025, the RSPCA received 905 reports involving snakes. One fifth of incidents last year (329) concerned snakes found loose or stray, again up – from 268 – compared to 2024.

As temperatures continue to soar again this summer, the charity is reminding owners that snakes can become more active in warm weather, increasing the risk of them escaping if enclosures are not secure.

The warning coincides with the charity’s Cruelty Hurts Love Rescues fundraising campaign coinciding with its busiest time as cruelty reports peak over summer. Last week (24 June), one of the hottest days of the year, the RSPCA received 4,135 calls from members of the public concerned about animals – including those suffering in the heat – 50% higher than for the same date in 2025.

As part of the Don’t Let Them Loose campaign, a partnership between the UK Government and animal welfare charities, owners are encouraged to regularly check their enclosures for signs of damage or wear that allows animals to escape, and to always use secure carriers or containers. Owners are also reminded to ask a specialist exotics vet to microchip their pet so they can be reunited if they escape

Another reason snakes escape at this time of year is that some owners take them outside to take advantage of the natural sunlight – while this can be good for reptiles. However, the RSPCA urges owners to ensure that their pet is kept secure when doing so, as they can warm up and move very quickly on a sunny day.

RSPCA Senior Scientific Officer Evie Button said: “We’re seeing a significant increase in reports involving snakes, with the highest numbers consistently taking place during the warmer months.

“Snakes naturally become more active as temperatures increase and they are very skilled escape artists so we’re urging owners to take a few extra moments to check enclosures are secure and suitable for their particular species. With such hot temperatures on the horizon, we’re issuing this snake safety warning.

“Many of the incidents we deal with involve snakes that are believed to have escaped from their owners. Sadly, we also see snakes that have been abandoned, or released on purpose, when people realise they are unable to meet their welfare needs, which poses an additional risk to our native wildlife.”

Temperatures are set to rise 33C on Wednesday with 34C on Thursday, and the highest readings of 35C forecast for isolated areas on Friday and Saturday.

Early next week, temperatures are likely to fall slightly, though many areas will stay dry and warm, the Met Office said.

Met Office’s deputy chief forecaster, Steven Keates, said people should “take the usual precautions with the heat and the sun”.

He said: “Parts of the UK are entering heatwave conditions: the third heatwave in the UK so far this year.

“However, unlike the May and June heatwaves, we are not expecting this heatwave to be record-breaking.

“Temperatures this week are not expected to reach the highs we witnessed last month, though parts of southern England in particular are likely to see several days in the low 30s, and a few places could reach 34-35C later this week.”

Yellow heat health alerts have also been issued by the agency for Yorkshire and northern England, also between 9am on Wednesday to 9pm on Sunday.

The UKHSA said similar significant impacts are possible across these areas, and warned of a potential increase in water-related incidents across England, including risks from cold water shock and drowning.

The Met Office also warned England could experience “tropical nights” later this week, where temperatures will not fall below 20C.

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.