Summer sunshine and ice cream can be great during school holidays, but the same can't be said for wildlife. Some areas in the UK have reached drought status due to recent heatwaves, and the hot, dry weather and low rainfall are making it difficult for some animals to find food, shade, and water. A hedgehog rescue center in Bristol is working at full capacity due to dozens of hedgehogs suffering from dehydration. These hedgehogs are struggling to find food and drink in the hot, dry weather, and the baby season is making the problem even worse. Bees are also affected by the heat. This species is adapted to a cooler climate, so their thick, furry bodies are designed to retain heat. During a heatwave, it's harder for them to cool down, so they can struggle to fly without overheating. We can't control the weather, but we can try to help them in a few different ways. Wildlife expert Rebecca Machin from the RSPCA says that leaving out water for animals like hedgehogs, birds, and insects can be really helpful. She also says that during hot weather, animals can struggle to find food, so leaving out wet cat and dog food for animals like hedgehogs and badgers can really help. Additionally, we should not disturb wildlife that is trying to escape the heat, which often happens in more shaded, quiet areas. Zoe Quiroz Cullen from The Wildlife Trusts is sending out a reminder to people who have a pond in their home or school to fill it up. However, she says that the ponds need to have shallow, slow-sloping edges so that animals can safely get in and out. The Wildlife Trusts are also encouraging people to let their gardens get a bit messy - good news for some! 'Letting the grass grow long, adding log piles... making some parts of the garden wilder can provide vital shelters and food sources,' says Zoe. Are you helping wildlife in the heat? Let us know in the comments below. Did you know? - Hedgehogs usually sleep during the day and are active at night to protect themselves from the heat. - Bees often 'sweat' instead of drinking water to cool down in the heat. - We can create small ponds in our gardens to make it easier for wildlife to access water sources. Helping and protecting wildlife is everyone's responsibility. Learning how to protect them during hot weather is important to ensure their health and happiness. Read on to learn more about what you can do to help wildlife during hot weather and let's work together to protect wildlife!