A manatee makes the most of his underwater guests by rolling onto his back for a belly rub. The manatee appears apprehensive at first, but he soon cosies up to the divers. The photographs were taken by marine biologist Andrew Pearson in Crystal River, Florida at the Crystal River Wildlife Refuge. The 32 year old photographer, of Southampton, says: ‘We spent several days snorkelling with wild manatees.
A little caterpillar fearlessly scampers down a branch and confronts a praying mantis .
This tranquil setting stretches for miles as the sun sets behind the mountain .
WRAPPED up in classy headscarves, these adorable pooches are the picture of sophistication .
Playing, splashing and generally messing around, these polar bears show they certainly have a soft spot for the water, and not just each other .
THIS is the fascinating abandoned house, complete with mystery portraits and homely items, that has been dubbed - crooked cottage .
A PENSIONER was left with a fractured jaw after being beaten and robbed outside his home in Birmingham last weekend .
With blue waves tumbling over them, these surfers glide underneath a tunnel of water .
A puppy bit off more than he could chew when he stole a six inch Chinese spare rib from his owner and swallowed it WHOLE, Cheeky Staffordshire bull terrier Rossi had his life SPARED when he underwent a life-saving operation to remove the bone from his stomach after swiping part of the takeaway meal .
The claws come out at meal time as a group of white tailed eagles brawl over road-kill .
A proud gorilla mum welcomes her newborn baby western lowland gorilla, a critically endangered species .
This brave Hyena finally catches his pray among the thousands of flamingos, Lake Nakuru, Kenya - OUTNUMBERED among thousands of flamingos, this bold hyena is not put off from hunting for a morning snack .
RESTING his weary head on his flipper, this little seal pup takes a much needed nap after an afternoon of strenuous yoga .