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.
LYING flat out on his back, this little meerkat makes the most of the English sunshine .
FULLY equipped with a kitchen and lounge, it's hard to believe this modern holiday let is actually a BUS .
WIDE EYED and staring straight down the lens of the camera, this intrigued seal is ready for his close up .
HUDDLING under a leaf, a pair of adorable Javan scops owls take shelter from the rain .
TOWERING 65 metres into the sky, this terrifying accent is a dream for climbers .
A pair of chicks bravely decided to befriend a python, despite being the snake's favourite choice of food .
Pouncing down on top of his twin brother, these two snow leopard cubs practice their kung-fu moves .
LIKE A living balloon this baitball of sardines is ready to burst when threatened by a pointy nosed sailfish .
A young otter wades through a lake with his eyes set on an older rival’s fish .
With no luck at the front of the bus, the deer runs around the center seats trying to escape through the window – THIS is the astonishing moment a DEER crashed through the front windshield of a bus before it went hysterically running around the vehicle .
PERCHING on the edge of a flower, these loved-up caterpillars can't resist each other as they enjoy a romantic moment together .
A BROWN bear wades through waters in Alaska and waits for his lunch .