Australia is baking through another extreme heatwave, with temperatures forecast to reach above 45°C for multiple days in a row across large swathes of the country.

Heatwaves are a deadly threat to humans, disproportionately impacting older people and those with lower incomes.

But it’s not just humans that feel the heat. Many animals can withstand extreme heat through various behavioural responses. For example, dogs pant to cool down and koalas hug the coolest parts of trees.

But when a heatwave occurs, the long periods of higher temperatures may be too much for some animals to handle. Tens of thousands of bats have been killed in heatwave events across Australia. Some birds can only survive a single day of extreme heat before succumbing.

You might think cold-blooded animals, such as insects, will be fine, and will even thrive in the extreme heat. But this isn’t always the case. Thankfully, insects such as ants, bees and beetles have a number of fascinating ways to keep themselves cool. With a few simple steps, we can help them, too.

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