If you've been struggling with the heat this week, spare a thought for the region's wildlife after Canberra sweltered through the hottest day of summer so far on Friday.
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Wildcare Queanbeyan said everyone could do their bit to help keep native animals happy and hydrated through the heatwave.
The callout came as Canberra reached 38 degrees on Friday for the first time this summer.
It was also the fourth day in a row the temperature has topped 35 degrees and the hottest day since January last year.
The temperature did not drop below 30 degrees until about 10pm on Friday night and the lowest it reached was 21.9 degrees at about 4am, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Wildcare species coordinator Natalie Patrick said this time of year could be challenging for wildlife, battling dehydration in the heat.
"Just like our domestic pets, all our native animals suffer from the heat as well," she said.
But there are simple things - like leaving a dish of water outside - people can do to help.
She said possums and gliders found at the base of a tree or in any unusual situation on hot days are likely to be dehydrated.
To help, you can spray the area with mist from a hose and leave water nearby for them to drink.
She said any kangaroos found looking for shade in a backyard or nearby should be left alone and bowls or buckets of water left out for them to drink from.
And reptiles, despite being better in the heat than other animals, are also likely to be looking for a drink.
Ms Patrick said you should leave out water in a shallow dish for them to drink from with a stick or foliage in it so they are able to climb out without drowning.
Meanwhile, a bird in distress because of dehydration will often behave in an odd manner, panting with their beaks wide open.
Anyone who finds wildlife in distress should call ACT Wildlife in Canberra or Wildcare Queanbeyan Inc. in surrounding NSW areas.
Canberra avoids the worst - and cooler weather on the way
Despite the string of hot days, Canberra avoided some of the more extreme heat other parts of NSW and Victoria encountered.
On Friday Melbourne reached 42.6 degrees while Avalon, to the city's west, reached 45.8 degrees.
Meanwhile, Victoria's north-west sweltered with temperatures reaching 46 degrees in Mildura, Swan Hill and Walpeup.
Sydney escaped the melting temperatures reaching a maximum of 28 degrees, while the Riverina was the warmest part of NSW, with the temperature reaching 45.9 degrees in Deniliquin and 45.5 at Hay.
In Canberra, there won't be much relief from the heat on Saturday with a top of 35 predicted, however the Bureau of Meteorology forecast a 95 per cent chance of rain and a possible thunderstorm in the afternoon or evening.
We should get some relief by Sunday with a milder top of 26 degrees forecast.
Monday and Tuesday are predicted to remain in the high 20s meaning at least some reprieve from the recent temperatures in the high 30s.
