RSPCA Warns Of Snake Surge As UK Heatwaves Intensify This Summer

As Britain faces its third summer heatwave, public concern typically centers on sunburn and dehydration. However, experts are now highlighting a growing danger: snakes. New data from the RSPCA indicates a sharp surge in snake-related incidents during these warm periods. In 2025 alone, the charity recorded 1,485 reports involving snakes, with 905 of those cases occurring specifically between May and September.

Evie Button, the RSPCA's Senior Scientific Officer, noted that snake activity naturally intensifies as temperatures rise. "We are seeing a significant increase in reports involving snakes, with the highest numbers consistently taking place during the warmer months," she stated. She emphasized that because reptiles are skilled escape artists, owners must ensure enclosures remain secure and species-appropriate, especially given the forecasted high temperatures. A major portion of these incidents involves animals that have escaped their homes.

The statistics show a marked increase from 2024, when there were 980 reports. Of the 1,485 cases in 2025, roughly one-fifth involved snakes found loose or stray. The remaining reports covered a variety of issues, including requests for advice on sick or injured pets, animals that had become trapped, and instances of intentional harm.

The charity attributes many escapes to owners taking their pets outside to utilize natural sunlight. While exposure to sun is beneficial for reptiles, unsecured enclosures allow snakes to warm up rapidly and move with dangerous speed on sunny days. The warning extends beyond private collections; the RSPCA also handles calls regarding native wild species like grass snakes and adders that are more active in summer but are frequently mistaken for exotic pets by the public.

Button explained a common cycle where exotic pets, such as snakes, end up in the charity's care once owners realize the difficulty of their upkeep or when the novelty fades. This trend poses a direct risk to communities relying on accurate identification and safe handling during periods of extreme heat.

Pet snakes rely entirely on owners for housing, heat, light, and food. These conditions must mimic nature to keep animals healthy and active. Reptile welfare demands specific environments just as wild counterparts require them in the open. The RSPCA warns future reptile owners to research species needs thoroughly using expert guides. Potential keepers must confirm they can fully meet these demands before bringing a snake home.

This warning follows a terrifying incident where paddleboarding became a disaster for one man. Zak Brown, 39, was out with a friend at Cavenham Heath National Nature Reserve in Suffolk last month. He stopped to rest on the river bank and accidentally stepped on an adder hiding in tall grass. The business owner felt immediate stabbing pain on his left ankle within seconds. Looking down, he saw the snake attached to his heel.

Describing the agony as instant and burning, Mr Brown knew he needed medical help immediately. With no easy exit from the area, he and his friend paddled two hours back to their vehicle. At the hospital, doctors administered anti-venom injections and kept him overnight for observation. Medical staff noted that luck played a role because the adder was only a juvenile. Venom from an adult snake could have caused much more severe damage.

Mr Brown called the pain unbearable before he lost the ability to walk. His leg swelled massively until it looked like an elephant limb. The fast-acting venom turned a relaxing day into a traumatic nightmare for this father of two.