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.
Throwing a right hook as he launches onto his opponent with his gnarling teeth at the ready, this is the OTTER-LY ruthless showdown between two otters .
Destroyed buildings and overturned cars are seen after a huge tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, near Oklahoma City, May 20, 2013 .
PUCKERING up and enjoying some quality time, these are the most lovable monkeys on the planet .
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and for this greedy camel he can't get enough of his morning feed, as he gate crashes his owner's mealtime .
Dogs catch waves at the Coronado Bay dog surf championships Saturday 22nd June 2013- DOG SURFING mutts have never looked so gnarly .
MESMERIZING night sky photographs offer a spellbinding look at the stars .
MAKING himself at home, this little snail perches happily on top of this frog's head .
SAT ON top of a Brazilian turtle’s head, this little ladybird looks content as he studies his environment from a new height .
HUDDLING under a leaf, a pair of adorable Javan scops owls take shelter from the rain .
ROLLING up snow in its tiny paws, this little squirrel is looking for a snowball fight .
SOARING through the air, a hungry white-tailed kite prepares to snatch a vole from his mother’s claws .
Exploding out of the water, a great white shark performs a backflip during a hunt for seals .