WITH a paw in the air and his tongue hanging from his mouth, it is clear to see that this little groundhog is struggling to wake up and leave behind the comfort of his burrow. The groundhog takes a moment to stretch before quickly becoming aware that he's not alone. The adorable scene was captured in the Tonale Pass, a high mountain pass in Trentino Alto Adige, Italy, by freelance photographer Maurizio Lancini. The 39-year-old, of Rodengo Saiano, Brescia, Italy, says:"I spotted the entrance to the burrow so decided to hide nearby and wait for the groundhog to appear.
Sprawled out on top of a log, this sleeping leopard takes a relaxing break from his daily routine .
SNOWBOARDING in your £2,000 wedding dress sounds like a nightmare for most brides .
CARRYING a fully grown goat on his back, this five-year-old boy is a child shepherd in the mountains of northern Ethiopia .
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 .
ARMED with her camera, bikini and flippers, this brave diver goes swimming with SHARKS .
SNEAKING slowly into the water, this Bengal tiger plans a vicious attack on three unsuspecting deer .
A frilled lizard appears to be belting out a tune as it sits in a tree with its mouth open wide .
PAWS for thought as you feast your eyes on this rare bear bathing session .
HUDDLING under a leaf, a pair of adorable Javan scops owls take shelter from the rain .
HOTSPOT MEDIA - FUNKY BUMP: FROM MIRROR bellies to rainbow bumps these pregnancy casts of stone and bronze could be the funkiest way to preserve your bump for posterity .
STEPFORD wives from the 1950's and 60's are performing history's most sexist exercise programme .
ROLLING across a 65-metre-high viaduct in the Alps, the red carriages of the Bernina Express add a splash of colour to the spectacular snow-covered Swiss surroundings .