Animals lap up April sunny spells as temperatures soar

19 April 2018

Cat on a deckchair — Image caption,
Bella enjoys a cat nap in the sunshine in Epping, Essex

As the UK continues to bask in the hot weather, it's not just people who are enjoying catching some rays.

From dogs leaping in fields to cats soaking up the sun on loungers, animals are making the most of what is set to be the hottest day in April in decades.

A dog jumping in a field — Image caption,
Jennifer Pimlow's dog, Frank, has certainly got a boost from the sun

Giraffe eating an ice lolly — Image caption,
When dry leaves are simply not enough to quench your thirst

Ostrich at the zoo — Image caption,
What are you looking at?

A dog lying on the grass in the sun — Image caption,
Loki has found a good spot in Hassocks, West Sussex

A squirrel monkey holding an ice lolly — Image caption,
This squirrel monkey is not sure what to make of its ice lolly

Rosie the dog in the sun — Image caption,
Six-year-old rescue dog Rosie Gamgee suns herself in County Durham

Siberian Tigers cooling off in water at Woburn Safari Park — Image caption,
Siberian tiger siblings Mishka and Milashki take a dip to cool off at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire

Dog in a pool of water — Image caption,
Harley from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Police Dog Unit cools down on his lunch break

Monty — Image caption,
Monty plays statues in the shade in Shrewsbury, Shropshire