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 brave leopard kicks back and relaxes in the sunshine - just inches from an enormous crocodile .
TRYING their best to wriggle away, three adorable tiger cubs receive their health checks at Chester Zoo .
WIDE EYED with a huge smile across her face, this little elephant is a picture of happiness .
WITHOUT A care in the world, this little snow monkey puts his feet up and settles in for a snooze .
AT first glance these images could easily be mistaken for photographs, but they are in-fact real life drawings created using nothing but coloured pencils .
BALANCING on top of a tree, this bear cub puts her climbing skills to the test .
DIVING boffins fired harpoons into 30-foot-long whale sharks in a bid to put the sea-beasts on Google Maps .
BALANCING 30 metres above ground, these slackliners take the expression of living dangerously one step further, by tightrope walking NAKED .
A mischievous fox cub demonstrates his playful side by biting his sibling’s tail .
A couple celebrated tying the knot with a spectacular Alice in Wonderland-themed wedding reception .
FLYING through the air, these delighted pooches pull their best poses mid-flight .
A PENSIONER was left with a fractured jaw after being beaten and robbed outside his home in Birmingham last weekend .