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.
HEART-MELTING shots of a French bulldog and a ten-month-old French baby could be the cutest you’re likely to see .
HUNDREDS of colour coordinated yarns lie abandoned in this once thriving textile mill .
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 .
THIS is the EXPLOSIVE moment when a 50 metre high pylon came crashing down to earth in a rural field .
Animal rescue volunteers have told how a cat riddled with cancer was forced to ripped off its own ears after it was abandoned by its owners .
With one hand rested on his belly and the other propping his head up, this lazy lizard takes an afternoon break .
DIPPING his head into the vase of water, this little squirrel takes a refreshing break from an afternoon of eating .
SHOVELLING food into his mouth, this hungry gorilla enjoys a peaceful moment at dinner time .
WITH HIS PAW covering his mouth, this cheeky cub looks amused by something .
GIANT garden sculptures don't beat about the bush .