The RSPCA is urging pet snake owners to be extra vigilant during the current UK heatwave, after new figures showed a sharp rise in snake-related incidents across England and Wales. The charity received 1,485 reports involving snakes during 2025, a 52% increase compared to 2024 (980 incidents) and the highest annual total in five years.
Incidents peak during 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, up from 268 in 2024. As temperatures continue to soar, the charity reminds owners that snakes become more active in warm weather, increasing the risk of escape if enclosures are not secure.
The warning coincides with the charity’s Cruelty Hurts Love Rescues fundraising campaign, as cruelty reports peak over summer. On 24 June, one of the hottest days of the year, the RSPCA received 4,135 calls from the public concerned about animals, 50% higher than the same date in 2025.
RSPCA advice for snake owners
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 enclosures for damage or wear, and to always use secure carriers. Owners are also advised to ask a specialist exotics vet to microchip their pet for identification if it escapes.
Another reason snakes escape is that some owners take them outside for natural sunlight, which can be beneficial. However, the RSPCA urges owners to keep pets secure, as they can warm up and move very quickly on a sunny day.
Expert comment on snake safety
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.”
Button added: “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.”
UK heatwave forecast
Temperatures are set to rise to 33°C on Wednesday, 34°C on Thursday, and a high of 35°C in 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 deputy chief forecaster Steven Keates 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 34-35°C later this week.”
Yellow heat health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency for Yorkshire and northern England from 9am Wednesday to 9pm Sunday. The UKHSA warned of a potential increase in water-related incidents, including risks from cold water shock and drowning. The Met Office also warned that England could experience “tropical nights” where temperatures do not fall below 20°C.
