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.
BLOWING bubbles underwater, this adorable polar bear slides into his tank for a playful dip .
LINED up one by one on a deer’s back, these little birds give their wings a break as they catch a ride across London .
THE THOUGHT OF BECOMING shipwrecked on a remote destination would fill most holidaymakers with dread .
HUDDLING under a leaf, a pair of adorable Javan scops owls take shelter from the rain .
FULLY equipped with a kitchen and lounge, it's hard to believe this modern holiday let is actually a BUS .
Fetching a tiny carrot and a head-shaped snowball, a red squirrel builds the perfect snowman .
A group of shelter dogs showcase their loveable personalities in a series of passport-style photographs - in the hope of finding their forever homes .
Leaping out of the ocean, a group of gentoo penguins fly through the air before landing safely on an iceberg .
With luminous colours and alien- like features, these magical mushrooms look like they belong on another planet .
Sitting all alone on drift ice in the Arctic Ocean, this lonely little fella looks lost .
Throwing their arms up in the air, these energetic squirrels play a game of ball with a walnut .
A tiny puppy who lost his front legs after being hit by a train has been given and new LEASH of life with a set of wheels .