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 proud gorilla mum welcomes her newborn baby western lowland gorilla, a critically endangered species .
This longhorn beetle demon-strates a dark side as it looks just like the devil .
LIFTING their heads high and bumping beaks, these aggressive pelicans clash over fish .
WRAPPED up in classy headscarves, these adorable pooches are the picture of sophistication .
WIDE EYED and staring straight down the lens of the camera, this intrigued seal is ready for his close up .
A pair of BEAUTIFUL rescue sea turtles spot their catch in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef .
A diver attempts to control rising numbers of lionfish by feeding the venomous species to Caribbean reef sharks .
BEHIND the doors of this building, with its stacks of mattresses and discarded remains of wheelchairs, lies another victim of austerity cuts .
Fetching a tiny carrot and a head-shaped snowball, a red squirrel builds the perfect snowman .
LEAF-ing much to the imagination, this camera trickery is blooming marvellous .
CARRYING a fully grown goat on his back, this five-year-old boy is a child shepherd in the mountains of northern Ethiopia .
Pouncing down on top of his twin brother, these two snow leopard cubs practice their kung-fu moves .