Panting, bunching and sploots How animals deal with the heat

With the UK bracing for its third heatwave of the summer, 2025 is on course to be a record-breaking year for temperature.

- Linda Geddes

As people retreat into paddling pools and beneath the breeze of pedestal fans, a quieter and less visible struggle is playing out across the country's fields, forests and hedgerows: Britain's animals are feeling the heat.

From cows and cats to herons and earthworms, each species has evolved its own tactics for staying cool. But as extreme heat events become more frequent and intense, scientists are beginning to question the resilience of UK wildlife and what we can do to help.

Unlike humans, most species have not evolved the ability to sweat. Dogs pant - as do some birds, including blackbirds. Others, including pigeons and herons, rapidly vibrate the bones and muscles in their throats to expose moist membranes to the air and dissipate heat, a technique called gular fluttering.

Earthworms seek refuge deep underground and "aestivate" slowing down their metabolisms and sleeping out hot, dry periods. Squirrels "sploot" - splaying out to dump heat into the ground. And cats sweat through their paw pads - and lick their paws and fur to enhance cooling.

Such strategies can be costly, though. Prof Alex Thornton at the University of Exeter said: "Some animals exhibit behaviours like panting when they go into heat stress, which is an important way for the body to try and regulate itself. But if you're panting, it's harder to pick up food and feed yourself adequately."