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 toddler has shrugged off death an incredible 10 times thanks to his parents who revive him with the kiss of life every two weeks .
COVERING themselves in ash and face paint, these are the holy men who live their lives away from everyday society .
WITH the phosphorescent blobs and mesmerising patterns, these spectacular images may look like the hall marks of an enchanted forest but it is in fact the scene of thousands of dancing FIREFLIES .
EAGERLY BITING his nails, this little squirrel is clearly nervous of looming predators as he searches for his meal .
Hot on the heels of a little rabbit, this cheetah is on a mission to catch his prey .
WEARING tiny Christmas accessories, these adorable babies get into the spirit of the season .
TOWERING 65 metres into the sky, this terrifying accent is a dream for climbers .
CARRYING a fully grown goat on his back, this five-year-old boy is a child shepherd in the mountains of northern Ethiopia .
LEAF-ing much to the imagination, this camera trickery is blooming marvellous .
LUMINOUS green rocks could easily be a beach from Superman's homeland of Krypton .
TUGGING at his exhausted mum's ears, a beautiful baby orangutan refuses to settle for a nap as he begins a game of peek-a-boo .
The gunslingers are long gone and tumbleweeds have taken over at this abandoned American Wild West Theme Park in Cornwall .