A teenage girl nicknamed 'spotty dog' by school bullies has embraced the hundreds of birthmarks that cover her entire face and body. 19-year-old Ciera Swaringen, of Rockwell, North Carolina, USA was born with mole-like birthmarks that spread from her head to her toes. Ciera's rare skin condition affects just one in 500,000 people and covers 70 percent of her body - with the largest mark stretching from her lower thighs to her navel. Since a child, the pretty teen has endured cruel taunts from strangers, but has now grown to love her unique appearance. She says: “Teenage boys are usually the first ones to comment when they see me. “They say things like, ‘You look like you’re dirty, take a wash.’
Pint- size Maci Winters only has one wish this Christmas - to be as tall as the other boys and girls on the school playground .
While often referred to as the kings of the jungle, gorillas - for all their might - are notorious hydrophobes .
A terrified moose, trapped in a frozen lake, bobs her head above the icey water and awaits her rescue .
This is the crazy art project that is going ballistic - placing a huge squishy 15ft red ball into tight spaces .
HEARTWARMING belongings lie abandoned in this eerie former dairy farm which has been left to crumble away for decades .
This starling and prairie dog will not back down an inch as they have a fearsome stand-off over who gets to eat a nut .
CAUSING a splash, this determined kingfisher goes hunting for dinner .
These are the faces of orphans suffering from the horrifying effects of chemical warfare .
Balanced on one leg, a frog assumes the crane kick martial arts stance made famous in the movie The Karate Kid .
A chipmunk, with his cheeks full to bursting, has no intention of leaving with an empty stomach .
FORGET Thorpe Park this summer as this is a 50 mile-per-hour ride over the Colorado River CANYON .
A mum-of-two, who was scarred for life in a brutal attack at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, is now urging others to leave their abusive partners .