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.
Fetching a tiny carrot and a head-shaped snowball, a red squirrel builds the perfect snowman .
WITH THEIR adorable big round eyes and fluffy white fur, these baby seals are cute enough to melt any heart .
Swimming side by side with divers, these manatees will do anything they can to stay warm .
A brave leopard kicks back and relaxes in the sunshine - just inches from an enormous crocodile .
This is the moment a nimble red fox and a lumbering Alaskan brown bear were locked in a tense stand-off .
PUCKERING up and enjoying some quality time, these are the most lovable monkeys on the planet .
A makeup artist from the West Midlands magically transforms herself into famous cartoon characters using body paint .
MESMERIZING night sky photographs offer a spellbinding look at the stars .
NEW DELHI, A woman activist of India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party crosses a police barricade near the residence of ruling Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi during a protest against the recent rape of a five-year-old girl in New Delhi, India, April 21, 2013 .
A kingfisher’s bright blue and orange feathers glisten in the sunlight as the bird dives into a lake .
Pouncing down on top of his twin brother, these two snow leopard cubs practice their kung-fu moves .
A ROAD KILL munching Scot has chewed on everything from a dead squirrel to an unlucky crow – all in the name of art .